Barcelona’s first Migration and Refuge Observatory report (link – in Catalan) reveals 54.2% of people below the poverty line weren’t born in the city. Meanwhile 84.5% of Barcelona residents earning double the average income are Spanish nationals, and public aid is less effective for foreign residents, who mostly rent and have higher education qualifications they can’t accredit.
The Institute Metròpoli study for the council shows how Barcelona’s foreign population breaks down by nationality. According to 2024 data, Argentina tops the list with 46,539 residents (8.1%), followed by Colombia with 42,538 (7.4%) and Peru with 38,824 (6.8%). The top ten also includes Venezuela, Pakistan and Ecuador. Italy is the first European country at 23,121 residents (4%).
The rankings have shifted dramatically over recent decades. In 2000, Morocco led with 10.8%, followed by France (9.8%) and Peru (8.3%). By 2005, Ecuador jumped to first place with 30,215 people (11.6%), ahead of Argentina (8.5%) and Peru (6.8%). Ecuador maintained the top spot in 2010 (7.7%), with Peru (6.9%) and Argentina (6.7%) following.
The 2015 rankings showed the same three nationalities with more even percentages. But in 2020, Argentina moved to the front with 30,377 citizens (6.5%), followed by Peru (6%) and Colombia (5.7%), whilst Ecuador dropped to sixth place.
The complete 2024 top ten list shows: Argentina (46,539, 8.1%), Colombia (42,538, 7.4%), Peru (38,824, 6.8%), Venezuela (33,017, 5.8%), Pakistan (28,784, 5%), Ecuador (24,819, 4.3%), Morocco (23,348, 4.1%), Italy (23,121, 4%), Honduras (21,140, 3.7%) and China (19,785, 3.5%). Barcelona’s total foreign population in 2024 is 573,763.
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