Our demography is very similar to other European countries. However, this territory is home to significant contrasts as it combines areas with a high concentration of people and sparsely populated areas facing an uncertain future. The outlook is not all that bleak as some of these areas are demonstrating positive demographic stability trends.
A similar scenario to other western societies
Scarce demographic growth and low birth and death rates are common features of what is known as "new demographics", closely linked to current western society. However, the Basque Country has a density (149.5 inhab./km2) and an aging population (19.6% over 65) a little higher than the overall figure for the EU-27 (17.5%).
Despite this aging, it currently has the 4th best conditions for generational relief from among today's young people (ratio between the 0-14 and 15-29 population) without losing population. However, this situation might change in the future.
Territorial variations
Regarding population distribution, Bizkaia (37.1%), Gipuzkoa (22.8%) and Lapurdi (7.8%) territorially concentrate the largest population compared to their surface area than the other provinces. Specifically, population accumulates around the four capitals in the South Basque Country and the coastline of Lapurdi, reaching extreme densities in some developed areas such as the case of Barañain (15,419.9 inhab./km2) or Portugalete (15,003.7 inhab./km2). At the other extreme, we have districts such as Roncal-Salazar with a density of 3.9 inhab./km2.
Regarding how the population volume has changed, figures from Zuberoa and the districts of Sangüesa, Ribera del Alto Ebro or Arbaila paint a picture of falling population requiring particular attention. It can be seen that in comparison with main nuclei, large areas of the Basque Country are currently becoming unpopulated. A total of 261 municipalities have lost population in the last three years, most of which have under a thousand inhabitants.
Aging
If we look at aging, small municipalities and districts with a low demographic concentration have the greatest difficulties to avoid severe aging processes. Districts such as Roncal-Salazar (436.6), Montaña Alavesa (248.4) or Lumbier (230.2) and municipalities such as Orotz-Betelu (3,450), Eslaba (2,400), Aguilar Kodes or Nabaskoze (1,733.3) have worrying aging rates (number of population over 65 for every one hundred inhabitants between 0 and 14 years old).
In any case, generalised aging in Basque society can also be clearly seen in large town centres such as Bayonne-Anglet-Biarritz (184.7) or the Bilbao conurbation (166.0), although they have an attraction that can compensate for aging with inhabitants from other areas.
Fertility
The highest fertility rates are located in the provinces of Lower Navarre (50.0) and Zuberoa (47.0) and in districts such as Montaña Alavesa (61.8), Pettarra (57.9), Lapurdi Erdialdea (56.4), Ostibarre (56.3) or Cinco Villas (55.4). These districts, and some others with a scattered population, are showing some signs of demographic recovery despite severe aging in many cases. This all leads to better generational relief from the current number of young people, to the extent that the population pyramid base is widening.
Uncertainties
Significant areas that are clearly shrinking demographically represent important losses for the Basque Country as a whole. In this case, we might wonder what can be done to maintain population in these areas, in short, which territory organisation policies might sustain them.
Note: This text aims to provide information and make it easier to read the data being presented. The text has been written by the Gaindegia technical team. It does not aim to reflect Udalbiltza's opinion. More information about the economy and society of the Basque Country in www.atlasa.net.
