Why is Spain in decline?

Spain's modern "decline" narrative stems from a complex mix of economic vulnerabilities, including a heavy reliance on tourism, high public debt, and a severe housing crisis. While experiencing growth, the nation faces challenges with a deeply polarized political landscape and overtourism backlash. Historically, the 17th-century decline was driven by hyperinflation from American silver, overextended wars, and weak industrial development.

What caused the decline of Spain?

Spanish decline can trace its direct causes to the long-term inflation and hyperinflation caused by the New World silver pouring into the Spanish economy after 1530 or so.

Why is Spain struggling?

Three major structural challenges threaten the long-term growth and competitiveness of Spain's economy: political fragmentation, which hinders decision-making and the implementation of structural reforms in such key areas as investment, the job market and the qualification of human capital; sluggish productivity, which ...

Why is 70% of Spain empty?

Spain's "empty" interior, known as España vacía, results from a combination of challenging geography (mountains, harsh climate) and historical/economic factors, causing mass rural-to-urban migration for better jobs, infrastructure, and services, leaving vast central areas with low population density while cities and coasts boom, exacerbated by low birth rates and lack of family support policies. 

Why are people avoiding Spain?

Protestors said that the large number of visitors were the cause of price increases for goods across the city, as well as putting pressure on public services, and complained that wealth generated by tourism was not distributed and thus a cause of increased social inequality.

Why did Spain Decline? (Short Animated Documentary)

Why are so many Brits leaving Spain?

The UK's departure from the EU has brought about many challenges for British citizens living in Spain. The new residency rules, uncertainty around healthcare, tightening financial situations, and job market difficulties are just a few of the problems they face.

Are less Brits going to Spain?

Report data from August 2025 shows Spain's British tourist visits declined by 9% year-on-year due to rising living costs and anti-tourism protests. UK travelers are increasingly choosing new and long-haul destinations like the US (17%), Canada (9%), Thailand (5%), and Australia (5%) over traditional European spots.

Will Spain become unlivable?

Rising temperatures, water scarcity and rising sea levels could radically transform the climate and geography of Spain in the coming decades. A report prepared by NASA identifies several regions of the country that could become virtually uninhabitable by 2050 due to these factors.

What is the most empty country in Europe?

Vatican City is not only the least populous country in the entire world but also the least populated in the entire European continent. According to statistics, Around 825 people live within the region that is called Vatican City.

Is Spain's economy better than the UK?

With GDP growth of 3.2% in 2023, Spain outpaced the UK and every other Eurozone country while simultaneously raising the minimum wage, strengthening workers' rights, investing in green energy, and subsidising fuel.

Why is there so much poverty in Spain?

The Impact of the 2008 Financial Crisis

The economic fallout from the 2008 financial crisis took its toll on Spain as well. As perforated holes with no dollar signs continued to emerge all over the country, her economy saw skyrocketing unemployment and an increase in poverty rates unparalleled in decades past.

When was Spain the richest country in the world?

Spain was one of the world's richest countries around 1500. Two centuries later it was a backwater. We rely on a synthetic control methodology to study the long-run impact of the influx of silver from the New World since 1500 for the economic development of Spain.

What is the unhappiest country in Europe?

Bulgaria is the only country in the 27-nation European Union whose citizens scored less than 6 (5.3) for their overall satisfaction with life.

Why is so much of Spain empty?

So, why are these areas so empty? Spain's terrain plays a big role. While it doesn't have deserts, it's one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. The Iberian Mountains, located in the middle of the country, are a key reason why central regions remain underpopulated.

What is the least popular country in Europe?

The Least Visited Countries in Europe

1. Moldova. Moldova is one of Europe's least visited countries, known for its wine culture and rural landscapes. ...
2. Liechtenstein. ...
3. San Marino. ...
4. Andorra. ...
5. North Macedonia. ...
6. Kosovo. ...
7. Albania. ...
8. Belarus.

What's the downside of living in Spain?

Cons of Living in Spain. While Spain offers many advantages, it's essential to consider the challenges that come with living here. Language barriers can make daily interactions difficult for non-Spanish speakers, and bureaucratic processes can be complex and time-consuming. The job market is very competitive.

What country is doing the most to stop climate change?

Countries leading the energy transition

• Sweden. It is no surprise that Sweden tops the index: the country is aiming to cut greenhouse gas emissions by 59% by 2030 compared with 2005, and to have a net-zero carbon economy by 2045. ...
• Norway. ...
• Denmark. ...
• Switzerland. ...
• Austria. ...
• Finland. ...
• United Kingdom. ...
• New Zealand.

What will Spain look like in 2050?

By 2050, reduced rainfall will result in a marked climate shift, from a typical Mediterranean climate to a drier, hotter steppe-like or even desert-like climate. In the specific case of Barcelona, the transition will be from a climate with mild, dry winters and hot summers to a steppe-like and semi-arid climate.

What do Spanish think of British tourists?

“We call the British 'guiris' [an affectionate Spanish word for foreigners, comes from guirigay meaning festive chaos]. They're people who are out of place, disorientated, who come here looking for sunshine, food and the fiestas in Spain, who has no sense of the ridiculous,” says Luis.

What Spanish town is paying Brits to move there?

The Spanish town paying Brits (and others) to move is Ponga, located in Asturias, offering around £2,600 (€3,000) for relocation and an extra £2,600 for each baby born there, provided you commit to living there for at least five years, as part of schemes to combat rural depopulation, alongside other regions like Extremadura offering grants for remote workers. 

Which country are most Brits moving to?

Over 55% of Brits leaving the UK moved to Europe in the last year, which is no surprise, with Spain, France, Italy, Ireland and Germany being in the top 10 countries in which Brits have moved and mainland Europe is the closest destination by distance for emigrating Brits.