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Immigration is dominating public debate in Spain right now, and the numbers help explain why. According to the National Statistics Institute, 9.3 million foreign-born people live in the country, which means almost one in five inhabitants was born outside Spain.

 

More than three million of these residents have already obtained Spanish nationality, but the issue is reaching a boiling point with situations like the controversy in Torre-Pacheco and increasingly heated statements from political parties like VOX.

 

Spain is approaching 50 million inhabitants, with the current figure standing at 49,153,849 to be precise. This growth is happening primarily because of foreign arrivals and the increase has affected all autonomous communities, including the cities of Ceuta and Melilla.

 

While the largest increases have traditionally been in major cities like Madrid, Barcelona and Valencia, municipalities in the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands and Andalucía are also seeing significant changes.

 

The national average for foreign-born residents in capital cities sits at less than 12%, but there are notable exceptions. Alicante, the Balearic Islands and Girona are the provinces with the highest proportion of foreign-born residents at almost 28%, making them the only areas where more than 25% of residents were born outside Spain.

 

That means one in four residents comes from another country.

 

Contrary to popular belief, the main entry point for migration into Spain isn't the sea but rather the airports. Many of the flights originate from Latin American countries, with more than 4 million Spanish residents born in this region. European countries account for the second largest group at 2.4 million, followed by African countries at 1.5 million.

 

But if you're looking for Spain's most international municipality, you won't find it in Madrid or Barcelona. Instead, you'll need to travel to a small agricultural town in Guadalajara where saying "Zdravey, kak si?" might get you further than "Hola, qué tal?"

 

Torre del Burgo, a tiny municipality in Castilla-La Mancha covering just 4.91 square kilometres, has become Spain's most foreign-dominated town. With a population of 493 people, an incredible 89% of residents were born outside Spain. That's 413 people, most of whom are Bulgarian, with smaller numbers from Poland, Romania and Morocco.

 

The reason behind Torre del Burgo's unique demographics is asparagus cultivation. The expansion of these plantations has attracted seasonal workers, especially from Bulgaria, who come each year to help with the harvest.

 

Torre del Burgo represents the extreme end of a nationwide trend that's reshaping Spain's social and political landscape. While most places are seeing gradual changes, this tiny agricultural town has become a fascinating example of how economic opportunities can completely transform a community's character, turning it into Spain's most international municipality almost overnight.

 

 

Image: Pedro José Ponce Asensio via Wikimedia Commons