3.4 million empty homes across Spain, population growing

The report has also updated population figures. In November 2011 there were 46.8 million inhabitants of Spain, a rise of 14.6% from 2001, but for which there has been a correspondingly greater percentage increase in the number of homes.

Of these homes, 71.7% were principal residences, i.e. those occupied for most of or all the year, while 14.6 % were secondary, i.e. only occupied during holidays. The number of empty homes rose by 10.8% (336'943) between 2001 and 2011. And of regions of Spain with the highest number of unoccupied properties, Andalusia topped the list (18.5%).

21 .4% of empty homes were built in the decade from 2001, compared with 29.7% of homes that were 50 or more years old. Out of all the empty properties, 15.1% were said to be in less than good condition.

The Balearics and the Canary Islands were, along with Murcia and the city of Melilla, the communities where there was the largest rise in the number of principal homes, while Asturias, Castile León and Extremadura were where there were the lowest increases. Of these first homes, 15% were buildings constructed between 2001 and 2011, while four out of five first homes were less than 50 years old.

Of second homes, Castile León, Cantabria and the Community of Valencia had the largest percentages, while the lowest were in Navarre, Madrid, the Basque Country and the cities of Ceuta and Melilla. 77.5% of second homes were built after 1960 and more or less a half were under 30 years old. The total distribution of second homes is unbalanced across the country, almost a half of them being in three regions of Valencia, Andalusia and Catalonia.

Between 2002 and 2011, 1.5 million buildings were constructed in Spain, the peak period of activity having been in 2005 and 2006 when, respectively, 14.6% and 13% of the total were built.