Spain Factbook

Spain has prospered materially since joining the European Union, but there are deep religious needs as people turn away from the Catholic Church and look for meaning.

Spain takes of the majority of the Iberian peninsula in southwestern Europe. It borders on France and Portugal, and its southern tip forms the Strait of Gibraltar with Morocco.

Nearly 40 million people live in Spain. Approximately 90% are Spanish. Another 5% are Basque. Some Basques have been waging a terrorist campaign in a bid for independence.

Spain was once a world economic power but declined over the centuries. Spain has prospered again as a part of the EU and is now one of the EU's leading economies.

Beginning in the late 15th century, Spain rose in prominence and became a world colonial power. Its influence in this period has lasted to this day with Spanish being the 3rd most widely spoken language in the world. Spain has endured a long history of civil war and totalitarian governments. The last, that of General Franco, ended in 1975. A multi-party democracy was established and a new constitution adopted in 1978.

The Roman Catholic Church was the official state church until 1975. Although it has not lost its status as the state church, the 1978 constitution guarantees equal rights for all religious groups. Today, the Catholic Church claims approximately two thirds of the population, but the numbers are falling rapidly.

Since end of Franco's reign, Spain has quickly become a more secular nation. The fastest growing religious grouping is atheist. This grouping now accounts for more than 30% of the population as people grow increasingly disenchanted with the Catholic Church. People have also turned to other things such as marginal groups like the Jehovah's Witnesses, the occult, and drugs.

Evangelicals frequently suffered discrimination and persecution during Franco's reign, but their numbers grew. Evangelicals are still few in number, less than half of one percent, but the numbers continue to grow. The Lord has done a work among the Gypsy (or Roma) people. Many of them have come to Christ.

There remains much work to be done. Despite growth in the number of missionaries since 1975, there remains a lack of pastors and full time Christian workers. Many areas of the country still lack an evangelical witness. Most current and former Catholics show no interest in Biblical Christianity.

Many people groups remain largely unevangelized. The Basques, Muslims, Africans, and young people all need works aimed at reaching them with the gospel. Pray that the Lord would raise up workers and turn hearts to Himself.

Copyright 2006 by Brad Garrison

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