In 2024, Spain reached the brink of a demographic turning point: the number of newborns in the country fell to the lowest level ever recorded. Only 318,005 babies were born over the year—almost one hundred thousand fewer than ten years ago. There are fewer and fewer young mothers under 35, and the average age of women having their first child continues to rise.
At the same time, Spain is seeing a boom in egg freezing procedures and other assisted reproductive technologies. More Spanish women are choosing to postpone motherhood in hopes of pursuing their plans in the future, when conditions might be more favorable. However, not everyone can afford these technologies, and they do not guarantee success.
Causes of change
Even though most young women between the ages of 25 and 29 dream of having two or more children, reality looks very different. The average birth rate in Spain is just 1.1 children per woman. Many women over 45 admit that they would have liked to become mothers, but were unable to fulfill this desire.
Experts point to a range of reasons for the gap between aspirations and reality. Among them are an unstable labor market, difficulties in purchasing a home, the lack of equal sharing of childcare responsibilities, as well as the risk of job loss or reduced income after having a child. Added to this is the lack of sufficient state support for families with children.
Social barriers
In recent decades, the term ‘structural infertility’ has become established in Spain. It refers to a situation where not biological, but rather social and economic factors prevent people from having children. Many women are forced to postpone motherhood in hopes of a better future, with egg freezing becoming a way to buy time.
However, such options are by no means available to everyone. The procedures are expensive, and their effectiveness does not always meet expectations. Meanwhile, the number of women choosing to have their first child after the age of 35 continues to rise, especially in regions with rapidly aging populations.
A shifting view of family
Changes are taking place not only in the economy, but also in public attitudes. For many Spanish women, motherhood is no longer seen as an essential part of life. Pursuing higher education, professional growth, and the desire for self-fulfillment in other areas have pushed the question of having children into the indefinite future.
As a result, Spain is among the countries with the lowest birth rates in Europe and globally. Meanwhile, government support measures for families remain limited and do not offer a comprehensive solution. Economic incentives and access to modern reproductive technologies cannot reverse the trend without profound changes in social policy.
Challenges for the future
Declining birth rates are not only a personal tragedy for many women but also a serious challenge for the entire country. An aging population, a shrinking workforce, and increased pressure on social systems are just some of the consequences of the demographic decline. For now, Spanish women continue to seek individual solutions, determined not to give up on their dream of motherhood.
If you weren’t aware, Spain is considered one of the world’s leaders in egg freezing and assisted reproduction procedures. The country has many specialized clinics, and Spanish doctors are often involved in international research in reproductive medicine. Despite this, access to such services remains uneven, and government support for families with children is among the lowest in Europe.
