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Spain’s Ageing Index Hits Record as Regional Gaps Widen

Low birth rates and longer lives are reshaping the population and sharpening labor shortfalls, according to INE data analyzed by Fundación Adecco.

Overview

  • Spain counted 148 people aged 65+ per 100 under‑16s in 2025, up 5.7 points in a year and roughly 18% over five years, marking a new peak.
  • Andalusia reached 128.6%—its highest level—after a five‑year jump of 23%, remaining among the relatively younger regions but accelerating faster than the national pace.
  • Castilla y León climbed to 230.7% and ranks third oldest among communities, with Zamora at about 340% leading provincial ageing, far above the national average.
  • Fundación Adecco highlights a severe replacement gap, estimating that for every three people who retire only one worker enters the labor market, alongside long-duration unemployment affecting 48.5% of jobseekers over 45.
  • Proposals include mobilizing senior talent, activating inactive groups, targeted labor immigration, and deploying AI to lift productivity, as some demographers urge more nuanced metrics than a simple 65+ to under‑16 ratio.