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Elevated panoramic view of Madrid's urban landscape with lush greenery and clear skies.Stunning aerial view of Madrid's skyline with vibrant cityscape under a blue sky.

Spain

Europe · Southern Europe

Very high safetyModerate cost of livingVery high development

It is one of the most peaceful countries, and people live long. Youth unemployment is high for Europe.

Digital NomadOffers a digital nomad visa and home internet at 277 Mbps.ExpatCombines very high development and very high safety.RetireeCombines very high life expectancy and very high safety.
vs United Statesvs United Kingdomvs Italy
Safety

27th most peaceful of 161

Global Peace Index
1.654lower is more peacefulVery high safety
#27 of 161
IEP GPI · 2026
Homicides
0.7per 100,000 people a yearVery lowUNODC / World Bank · 2023
Safety index
62.4Numbeo's safety index, higher is saferHighNumbeo · 2026
Money

Incomes at the European median

Median disposable income
€20,367per adult, a year, after tax and transfersModerate
Eurostat · 2025
Rent index
23.2New York = 100ExpensiveNumbeo · 2026
Property price to income
8.5years of median income to buy a median flatAffordableNumbeo · 2026

Income and inflation over time

Income per person rose 36% in current dollars from 2006 to 2025, and rose 11% after inflation.

GDP per person, current US$At purchasing power parityInflation

$0$30K$60K$59,868 PPP$38,627Inflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $28,422 a person, $30,749 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2007, $32,652 a person, $32,536 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2008, $35,603 a person, $33,350 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2009, $32,280 a person, $32,218 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2010, $30,659 a person, $31,805 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2011, $31,825 a person, $32,016 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2012, $28,456 a person, $31,870 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2013, $29,229 a person, $32,614 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2014, $29,708 a person, $33,761 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2015, $25,982 a person, $35,229 at PPP, inflation -0.5%2016, $26,756 a person, $37,613 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2017, $28,381 a person, $39,825 at PPP, inflation 2%2018, $30,602 a person, $41,015 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2019, $29,787 a person, $44,043 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $27,234 a person, $39,328 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2021, $30,799 a person, $44,252 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2022, $30,319 a person, $51,483 at PPP, inflation 8.4%2023, $33,493 a person, $55,661 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2024, $35,327 a person, $58,064 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2025, $38,627 a person, $59,868 at PPP, inflation 2.7%$0$30K$60KInflation, % a year10%0200620102015202020252006, $28,422 a person, $30,749 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2007, $32,652 a person, $32,536 at PPP, inflation 2.8%2008, $35,603 a person, $33,350 at PPP, inflation 4.1%2009, $32,280 a person, $32,218 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2010, $30,659 a person, $31,805 at PPP, inflation 1.8%2011, $31,825 a person, $32,016 at PPP, inflation 3.2%2012, $28,456 a person, $31,870 at PPP, inflation 2.4%2013, $29,229 a person, $32,614 at PPP, inflation 1.4%2014, $29,708 a person, $33,761 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2015, $25,982 a person, $35,229 at PPP, inflation -0.5%2016, $26,756 a person, $37,613 at PPP, inflation -0.2%2017, $28,381 a person, $39,825 at PPP, inflation 2%2018, $30,602 a person, $41,015 at PPP, inflation 1.7%2019, $29,787 a person, $44,043 at PPP, inflation 0.7%2020, $27,234 a person, $39,328 at PPP, inflation -0.3%2021, $30,799 a person, $44,252 at PPP, inflation 3.1%2022, $30,319 a person, $51,483 at PPP, inflation 8.4%2023, $33,493 a person, $55,661 at PPP, inflation 3.5%2024, $35,327 a person, $58,064 at PPP, inflation 2.7%2025, $38,627 a person, $59,868 at PPP, inflation 2.7%

World Bank: GDP per person in current US dollars and at PPP, real GDP per person, consumer price inflation. Observed years only.

Health

Among the longest-lived countries

Life expectancy
83.9years, at birthVery high
#10 of 195
World Bank · 2024
Health coverage
84WHO universal health coverage index, 0 to 100Very highWHO · 2023
Air pollution
8.0PM2.5, micrograms per cubic metre, national averageVery lowWHO · 2023
Work and internet

Among the highest youth unemployment in Europe

Youth unemployment
24.9%share of 15 to 24 year olds in the labour forceVery high
Eurostat · 2025
Home internet
277 Mbpsmedian download speedVery fastOokla Speedtest · 2025
English proficiency
540EF English Proficiency Index scoreModerateEF EPI · 2025

Internet speeds

Home internet277 MbpsVery fast
Mobile93 MbpsModerate

Ookla Speedtest Global Index, median download speed, ranked among the countries Ookla lists.

Visas and moving

Digital nomad visaMedium

Minimum income
$2,600 a month
Duration
12 months
Renewable
Yes
Application fee
$82
  • Tax treatmentSpecial or flat rate
  • Processing timeAbout 10 days
  • Health insuranceRequired
  • DependantsAllowed, $190 each
  • Apply onlineIn person or at a consulate
  • Path to residencyYes
  • NationalitiesSome are restricted
Official page
Stunning aerial view of Madrid's skyline with vibrant cityscape under a blue sky.
How it changed

Spain's Human Development Index

0.918Very high human development

28th of 193 in UNDP's 2023 ranking, 18th of 44 in Europe.

UNDP builds the index from three dimensions: a long and healthy life, being knowledgeable, and a decent standard of living. They are measured by life expectancy at birth, mean and expected years of schooling, and gross national income per capita. UNDP Human Development Report 2025.

Nearest countries by HDI

  1. #26France0.920
  2. #27Israel0.919
  3. #28Spain0.918
  4. #29Czechia0.915
  5. #29Italy0.915
Full HDI ranking, all 193 countries

HDI since 1990

Year by year

Human development rose from 0.766 in 1990 to 0.918 in 2023.

0.700.820.950.91819902000201020231990: 0.7661991: 0.7741992: 0.7811993: 0.7891994: 0.7981995: 0.8041996: 0.8111997: 0.8161998: 0.8211999: 0.8252000: 0.8332001: 0.8392002: 0.8442003: 0.8462004: 0.8522005: 0.8572006: 0.8622007: 0.8642008: 0.8652009: 0.8672010: 0.8752011: 0.8792012: 0.8812013: 0.8862014: 0.8902015: 0.8952016: 0.9002017: 0.9022018: 0.9052019: 0.9102020: 0.9012021: 0.9122022: 0.9112023: 0.9180.700.820.9519902000201020231990: 0.7661991: 0.7741992: 0.7811993: 0.7891994: 0.7981995: 0.8041996: 0.8111997: 0.8161998: 0.8211999: 0.8252000: 0.8332001: 0.8392002: 0.8442003: 0.8462004: 0.8522005: 0.8572006: 0.8622007: 0.8642008: 0.8652009: 0.8672010: 0.8752011: 0.8792012: 0.8812013: 0.8862014: 0.8902015: 0.8952016: 0.9002017: 0.9022018: 0.9052019: 0.9102020: 0.9012021: 0.9122022: 0.9112023: 0.918

UNDP Human Development Report, 2025 edition. 34 annual values, none interpolated.

Twenty years here

Year by yearThe world report
Life expectancy at birth
83.9 years2024at birthUp 3.7 years from 80.2 years in 2005
Internet users
96%2024of people onlineUp 45 points from 50% in 2006
Urban population
81%2025of people in towns and citiesUp 3 points from 78% in 2006
Births per woman
1.102024births per womanDown 0.23 from 1.33 in 2005
Renewable share of energy
19%2021of energy usedUp 11 points from 8% in 2004
Access to electricity
100%2024of people with electricityLevel with 2005
Infant mortality
32024deaths before age one, per 1,000 birthsDown 1 from 4 in 2005
CO2 emissions per person
4.5 t2024of CO2 per person a yearDown 3.9 t from 8.4 t in 2005
Forest area
37%2023of land under forestUp 2 points from 35% in 2004

World Bank, from the first to the last observed year of each indicator; each has its own window.

Our take

Sunny, relaxed lifestyle with a booming digital nomad scene, affordable outside the major cities. The case for living here is peace, long lives and wide access to essential health services. The case against is high youth unemployment for Europe.

About Spain

Spain is a country of enormous regional diversity, from the Celtic landscapes of Galicia and the Pyrenean valleys of the Basque Country to the whitewashed villages of Andalusia and the Mediterranean richness of Catalonia. The culture is built around late hours, outdoor social life, extraordinary food and wine, and a pace of living that prioritises pleasure without apology. Those who can synchronise with Spanish time will find it one of the most enjoyable cultures in the world to simply inhabit.

Practical facts

  • CapitalMadrid
  • LanguagesSpanish, Catalan, Basque, Galician
  • Currencyeuro (EUR)
  • Area499,697 km²
  • Plug typeType C/F
  • Drives on theright
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Quick answers

What is Spain's Human Development Index?

Spain's Human Development Index is 0.918 for 2023 (UNDP Human Development Report 2025), ranked #28 of 193 by UNDP.

Is Spain safe?

Spain scores 1.65 on the Global Peace Index (lower is more peaceful), ranked #27 of 161 countries by the Institute for Economics & Peace. That measures national-level peace, not street crime; both are covered below.

How expensive is Spain?

Numbeo's cost-of-living index puts Spain at 51.6 (New York = 100); that is #102 cheapest of 143 countries with data.

What is life expectancy in Spain?

Life expectancy at birth in Spain is 83.9 yrs (World Bank), ranked #10 of 195 countries.

What is the quality of life in Spain?

Numbeo's quality-of-life index scores Spain at 185.8, ranked #16 of 87 countries with data. It composites purchasing power, safety, healthcare, cost of living, commute and pollution from resident surveys, so it reflects what residents report rather than what an economy produces.