Reference metadata describe statistical concepts and methodologies used for the collection and generation of data. They provide information on data quality and, since they are strongly content-oriented, assist users in interpreting the data. Reference metadata, unlike structural metadata, can be decoupled from the data.
Total usually resident population for the purposes of qualified majority voting in the Council.
3.2. Classification system
Not applicable.
3.3. Coverage - sector
Demography and population.
3.4. Statistical concepts and definitions
Usually resident population’ : All persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time, understanding ‘usual residence’ as the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences (for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage).
The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of a specific geographical area:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
Our Population Register, Padrón, includes all people who are considered to be usually resident in Spain, since everyone who is usually resident has the right to be registered (even those without a legal residence permit or hard to reach groups of population), but they are not obliged to be, nor are they automatically registered, except in some cases. However, there are many advantages to registering, because it gives certain rights and is even obligatory to be able to exercise some rights, such as health, education, etc., so the whole population tends to be registered. People who register do so when they consider that they usually reside in Spain, since the Spanish law establishes that "everybody who resides in Spain is obliged to register in the Municipal Register in which they habitually reside. Anyone who lives in several municipalities has to be registered only in the place where he/she spends more time during the year".
In this sense, the population register meets the definition of usual residence because, for those who have registered in the last 12 months, they have done so because they consider that this is and will be their usual residence.
But our population is not obtained by simply counting the population that is in the register: the population register is the skeleton for our population estimation, on which a statistical treatment is carried out to better adjust it, mainly based on the life-signs method. The process is as follows (new from 2023 with the implementation of annual censuses):
A census is obtained, based on the population register, and apply a statistical treatment mainly based on the life-signs method for a better adjustment.
For dates after the last available census (as is the case of the URESPOP population), the starting point is the last census, and we apply the evolution observed in the population register to each population group.
Therefore, we do not use the "default definition" (place of legal or registered residence), but the definition of usual residence.
3.5. Statistical unit
Person.
3.6. Statistical population
Everybody who has its usual residence in Spain.
3.7. Reference area
Data are available at national level, with geographical detail down to NUTS3.
3.8. Coverage - Time
Population series are available in the Population Continuous Statistics since 1971 and, before that, decennial Census since 1857 can be found in the documentary collection of Censuses. They all give the historical series of population figures for Spain. Final data coincide with Census and intercensal estimates. Last final data are for the reference date 1 January of the reference year, so data for URESPOP, with reference date the end of the reference year (or 1 January of the next year to the reference one) are provisional and will be final at the end of this year.
3.9. Base period
Not applicable.
Person.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December).
6.1. Institutional Mandate - legal acts and other agreements
The compilation and dissemination of the data are governed by the Statistical Law No. 12/1989 "Public Statistical Function" of May 9, 1989, and Law No. 4/1990 of June 29 on “National Budget of State for the year 1990" amended by Law No. 13/1996 "Fiscal, administrative and social measures" of December 30, 1996, makes compulsory all statistics included in the National Statistics Plan. The National Statistical Plan 2009-2012 was approved by the Royal Decree 1663/2008. It contains the statistics that must be developed in the four year period by the State General Administration's services or any other entity dependent on it. All statistics included in the National Statistics Plan are statistics for state purposes and are obligatory. This statistical operation has governmental purposes, and it is included in the National Statistics Plan 2021-2024. Please more information at this website (Statistics of the State).
6.2. Institutional Mandate - data sharing
The exchanges of information needed to elaborate statistics between the INE and the rest of the State statistical offices (Ministerial Departments, independent bodies and administrative bodies depending on the State General Administration), or between these offices and the Autonomic statistical offices, are regulated in the LFEP (Law of the Public Statistic Function). This law also regulates the mechanisms of statistical coordination, and includes cooperation agreements between the different offices when necessary.
7.1. Confidentiality - policy
The Statistical Law No. 12/1989 specifies that the INE cannot publish, or make otherwise available, individual data or statistics that would enable the identification of data for any individual person or entity. Regulation (EC) No 223/2009 on European statistics stipulates the need to establish common principles and guidelines ensuring the confidentiality of data used for the production of European statistics and the access to those confidential data with due account for technical developments and the requirements of users in a democratic society.
7.2. Confidentiality - data treatment
INE provides information on the protection of confidentiality at all stages of the statistical process: INE questionnaires for the operations in the national statistical plan include a legal clause protecting data under statistical confidentiality. Notices prior to data collection announcing a statistical operation notify respondents that data are subject to statistical confidentiality at all stages. For data processing, INE employees have available the INE data protection handbook, which specifies the steps that should be taken at each stage of processing to ensure reporting units' individual data are protected. The microdata files provided to users are anonymised.
8.1. Release calendar
The advance release calendar that shows the precise release dates for the coming year is disseminated in the last quarter of each year.
The data are released simultaneously according to the advance release calendar to all interested parties by issuing the press release. At the same time, the data are posted on the INE's Internet website almost immediately after the press release is issued. Also some predefined tailor-made requests are sent to registered users. Some users could receive partial information under embargo as it is publicly described in this document (Code of practice).
Population data are disseminated quarterly (provisional results) and yearly (final results).
10.1. Dissemination format - News release
The results of the statistical operations are normally disseminated by using press releases that can be accessed via both the corresponding menu and the Press Releases Section in the web.
10.2. Dissemination format - Publications
You can access all information regarding this operation at the INE's website.
10.3. Dissemination format - online database
INEbase is the system the INE uses to store statistical information on the Internet. It contains all the information the INE produces in electronic formats. The primary organisation of the information follows the theme-based classification of the Inventory of Statistical Operations of the State General Administration. The basic unit of INEbase is the statistical operation, defined as the set of activities that lead to obtaining statistical results on a determined sector or topic using data collected individually.
10.4. Dissemination format - microdata access
There are no microdata in this statistical operation.
10.5. Dissemination format - other
In addition to the information contained in the online publications and databases, the INE is able to provide data "to order" in accordance with users' requirements by means of the "User Services" where specialist staff will advise on the viability of the requirements.
10.6. Documentation on methodology
For more information, see the annex sheet 10.6.1.
10.7. Quality management - documentation
The link to the Spanish reference metadata on statistical operation that provides the usual resident population and the link to that operation methodology (population figures) are:
Quality assurance framework for the INE statistics is based on the ESSCoP, the European Statistics Code of Practice, made by EUROSTAT. The ESSCoP is made up of 15 principles, gathered in three areas: Institutional Environment, Processes and Products. Each principle is associated with some indicators which make possible to measure it. In order to evaluate quality, EUROSTAT provides different tools: the indicators mentioned above, Self-assessment based on the DESAP model, peer review, user satisfaction surveys and other proceedings for evaluation.
11.2. Quality management - assessment
1. Nationals
Please indicate the type of duration of stay when counting a person with national citizenship as an usual resident with a minimum duration of stay of 12 months according to Art. 2(d) of Reg. 1260/2013.
1. Actual
2. Intended
3. Actual and intended
4. Other. Please specify below:
X
2. EEA Citizens
Please indicate the type of duration of stay when counting a person with EEA citizenship as an usual resident with a minimum duration of stay of 12 months according to Art. 2(d) of Reg. 1260/2013.
1. Actual
2. Intended
3. Actual and intended
4. Other. Please specify below:
X
3. NON-EEA Citizens
Please indicate the type of duration of stay when counting a person with non-EEA foreign citizenship as an usual resident with a minimum duration of stay of 12 months according to Art. 2(d) of Reg. 1260/2013.
1. Actual
2. Intended
3. Actual and intended
4. Other. Please specify below:
X
12.1. Relevance - User Needs
The first user is the statistic national system, particularly population figures are used by INE as reference figures in all its statistics products (surveys, National Account, indicators).
Besides, population figures are available for all those users who need to analyse the national demographic evolution or produce their own statistics. These figures are also used like official Spanish Population by the international organisations.
Data requested in Art. 4.1 of Reg. 1260/2013.
12.2. Relevance - User Satisfaction
The INE has carried out general user satisfaction surveys in 2007, 2010 and 2013, and it plans to continue doing so every three years. The purpose of these surveys is to find out what users think about the quality of the information of the INE statistics and the extent to which their needs of information are covered. In addition, additional surveys are carried out in order to acknowledge better other fields such as dissemination of the information, quality of some publications.
12.3. Completeness
Demographic information is available in each Autonomous Community, in each province and in every island, broken down according to basic demographic characteristics, such as sex, year of birth, age, nationality and country of birth, so the completeness is 100%.
Data transmitted as requested in Art. 4.1 of Reg. 1260/2013.
13.1. Accuracy - overall
There is no a quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of the estimates.
Population is compiled in the Continuous Population Statistics, based on the information provided by the administrative data of the Municipal Register and by other statistics already compiled, such as the population censuses and the statistics relating to births and deaths, and therefore, the accuracy of its results depends on the accuracy of the information sources used.
13.2. Sampling error
Not applicable, as it is not a survey.
13.3. Non-sampling error
Non-sampling errors may arise both from the sources used and from the processing of the information itself in this operation, such as a certain delay in the arrival of the data, especially for provisional estimates. Direct measurement of accuracy in this case is not considered possible.
14.1. Timeliness
Population is published quarterly, first provisionally, at the latest 45 days after de reference date, until the data are final, which occurs when a new census is published, at the end of the year. The full set of provisional data will be updated every quarter, until they are final.
14.2. Punctuality
Demographic information is delivered according to the established Statistics Calendar by INE.
15.1. Comparability - geographical
Demographic data keep total inter-territorial and demographic consistency at all breakdown levels considered.
15.2. Comparability - over time
The population figures included in the Population Continuous Statistics form the resident population series in Spain since 1971. From 2021 onwards, data are published for each year as of 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. Data until 1 January 2021 are published for two reference dates a year (1 January and 1 July).
15.3. Coherence - cross domain
Population Continuous Statistics are used as reference figures for population in all the statistical products by INE (surveys, National Accounts and indicators) so all they are totally consistent.
15.4. Coherence - internal
Internal coherence, including territorial coherence, is kept.
Demographic data are produced on the base of registered information, so there is no burden on respondents.
The costs included by the Annual Program 2024 for population with reference year 2023 are 270.45 thousands Euros for Population Continuous Statistics.
17.1. Data revision - policy
The INE of Spain has a policy which regulates the basic aspects of statistical data revision, seeking to ensure process transparency and product quality. This policy is laid out in the document approved by the INE board of directors on 13 March of 2015, which is available on the INE website, in the section "Methods and projects/Quality and Code of Practice/INE’s Quality management/INE’s Revision policy.
17.2. Data revision - practice
First provisional population data are published at the latest 45 days after de reference date, until the data are final, which occurs when a new census is published, at the end of the year. The full set of provisional data will be updated every quarter, until they are final.
18.1. Source data
Population Continuous Statistics are obtained from the Population Register, the population Censuses and from Vita Statistics (Birth and Death).
18.2. Frequency of data collection
Monthly.
18.3. Data collection
Population data are obtained from the Population Register, the Population Censuses and Vital Events (births and deaths).
18.4. Data validation
First of all a phase of control and completeness of information is carried out for each source of information. Secondly an analysis about the coherence and evolution of each source of information is carried out separately. Finally multiple analysis for integrated information is carried out in order to guarantee the total coherence between the different demographic events at all breakdown levels considered.
18.5. Data compilation
The population register is the skeleton for our population estimation, on which a statistical treatment is carried out to better adjust it, mainly based on the life-signs method. The process is as follows (new from 2023 with the implementation of annual censuses):
We obtain a census (at the end of each year), based on the population register. It is obtained through a statistical treatment mainly based on the life-signs method for a better adjustment. We also use Vital Statistics (births and deaths) to better adjust the population register.
For dates after the last available census (as is the case of the URESPOP population), the starting point is the last census, and we apply the evolution observed in the population register to each population group.
Therefore, our estimation of the populations comes from data already compiled in the Census, Vital Events and Population Register production.
18.6. Adjustment
Once the population has been obtained through the above-mentioned statistical procedures, and meets the definition of usual residence, no further adjustment has been made.
Total usually resident population for the purposes of qualified majority voting in the Council.
2 August 2024
Usually resident population’ : All persons having their usual residence in a Member State at the reference time, understanding ‘usual residence’ as the place where a person normally spends the daily period of rest, regardless of temporary absences (for purposes of recreation, holidays, visits to friends and relatives, business, medical treatment or religious pilgrimage).
The following persons alone shall be considered to be usual residents of a specific geographical area:
those who have lived in their place of usual residence for a continuous period of at least 12 months before the reference time; or
those who arrived in their place of usual residence during the 12 months before the reference time with the intention of staying there for at least one year.
Our Population Register, Padrón, includes all people who are considered to be usually resident in Spain, since everyone who is usually resident has the right to be registered (even those without a legal residence permit or hard to reach groups of population), but they are not obliged to be, nor are they automatically registered, except in some cases. However, there are many advantages to registering, because it gives certain rights and is even obligatory to be able to exercise some rights, such as health, education, etc., so the whole population tends to be registered. People who register do so when they consider that they usually reside in Spain, since the Spanish law establishes that "everybody who resides in Spain is obliged to register in the Municipal Register in which they habitually reside. Anyone who lives in several municipalities has to be registered only in the place where he/she spends more time during the year".
In this sense, the population register meets the definition of usual residence because, for those who have registered in the last 12 months, they have done so because they consider that this is and will be their usual residence.
But our population is not obtained by simply counting the population that is in the register: the population register is the skeleton for our population estimation, on which a statistical treatment is carried out to better adjust it, mainly based on the life-signs method. The process is as follows (new from 2023 with the implementation of annual censuses):
A census is obtained, based on the population register, and apply a statistical treatment mainly based on the life-signs method for a better adjustment.
For dates after the last available census (as is the case of the URESPOP population), the starting point is the last census, and we apply the evolution observed in the population register to each population group.
Therefore, we do not use the "default definition" (place of legal or registered residence), but the definition of usual residence.
Person.
Everybody who has its usual residence in Spain.
Data are available at national level, with geographical detail down to NUTS3.
The reference date for population data is the end of the reference period (midnight of 31 December).
There is no a quantitative evaluation of the accuracy of the estimates.
Population is compiled in the Continuous Population Statistics, based on the information provided by the administrative data of the Municipal Register and by other statistics already compiled, such as the population censuses and the statistics relating to births and deaths, and therefore, the accuracy of its results depends on the accuracy of the information sources used.
Person.
The population register is the skeleton for our population estimation, on which a statistical treatment is carried out to better adjust it, mainly based on the life-signs method. The process is as follows (new from 2023 with the implementation of annual censuses):
We obtain a census (at the end of each year), based on the population register. It is obtained through a statistical treatment mainly based on the life-signs method for a better adjustment. We also use Vital Statistics (births and deaths) to better adjust the population register.
For dates after the last available census (as is the case of the URESPOP population), the starting point is the last census, and we apply the evolution observed in the population register to each population group.
Therefore, our estimation of the populations comes from data already compiled in the Census, Vital Events and Population Register production.
Population Continuous Statistics are obtained from the Population Register, the population Censuses and from Vita Statistics (Birth and Death).
Population data are disseminated quarterly (provisional results) and yearly (final results).
Population is published quarterly, first provisionally, at the latest 45 days after de reference date, until the data are final, which occurs when a new census is published, at the end of the year. The full set of provisional data will be updated every quarter, until they are final.
Demographic data keep total inter-territorial and demographic consistency at all breakdown levels considered.
The population figures included in the Population Continuous Statistics form the resident population series in Spain since 1971. From 2021 onwards, data are published for each year as of 1 January, 1 April, 1 July and 1 October. Data until 1 January 2021 are published for two reference dates a year (1 January and 1 July).
