Spain’s population rose to 46 million in 2018 due to its growing migrant population, according to data released Monday.
Spain’s population increased to 46.66 million in 2018 from 46.53 million in 2017, according to the National Statistics Institute. The population grew by 132,263 people since 2017 with an increase of 146,604 people entering Spain as migrants, Reuters reported. This the second consecutive year that the population increased in Spain. The data also shows that this is the largest increase in migrants over the last ten years. (RELATED: Spanish Deputy Minister Praises France’s ‘Cooperation’ For Helping With Aquarius Migrants)
A separate study also found that Spain’s birthrate decreased by 4.5 percent while deaths increased by 3.2 percent in 2018, Reuters added. (RELATED: Spain: Italy Is ‘Anti-European’ Over Migration Policies)
The Spanish government has become vocal in its commitment to helping refugees while blasting Italy over its anti-migrant policies. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, a member of the Spanish Socialist Workers’ Party, accused Italy of being “anti-European” over anti-migrant practices, during a mini European Union summit meeting in Brussels Sunday.
The Spanish government allowed the refugee rescue ship the Aquarius, which carried 630 migrants, to dock in Valencia, Spain, after being turned away from Italy on June 9. Italian Interior Minister Matteo Salvini has issued a crackdown on migrants since being sworn into office on June 1.
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