People

Population - 47.28 million including 5.1 million foreign nationals (12% of the overall population) (Instituto Nacional de Estadística estimate at January 2013), a decrease of 0.2% since January 2012, the first decrease since 1971.

Life expectancy: men - 79 years, women - 85 years (WHO 2012), one of the highest in Europe.

Language – Castilian Spanish is the only nationwide official language, spoken by 74%. Aranese, Catalan, Galician, Valencian and Basque have co-official status in the communities where they are spoken. Spanish 74%, Catalan 17%, Galician 7%, Basque 2%.

Religion – 58% regard themselves as Christian (Roman Catholic). 2.3% are Muslims.

Education – 5.7% of GDP (2012).  Instituto Nacional de Estadistica. Literacy: 97.9%.