457 The enigma of birth rate and infant mortality in Spain: differences between native and immigrant populations

Abstract EP3.4, e-Poster Terminal 3, September 4, 2025, 11:35 - 13:00 Aims To analyse trends in total fertility rate, in infant mortality rate and in under-five mortality rate in the native and immigrant population residing in Spain. Methods We used data from the Statistical Bulletin of Births, the Statistical Bulletin of Deaths and the Population Registry Data for the years 2009 to 2022. Total fertility rates, specific birth rates by maternal age, infant mortality rates and under-five mortality rates in the native and immigrant population residing in Spain were calculated and changes over time in both population groups were evaluated. Results A progressive decrease in birth rates has been observed in Spain, this decrease in births has been continuous in the case of births to native mothers, while in the case of births to foreign-born mothers there is also a slight decrease, but from 2020 there is an increase in the total fertility rates (27.7 vs 56.4 births per thousand women aged 15-49 in 2022). On the other hand, when analysing infant and under-five mortality rates, it has been observed that throughout this period, infant mortality rates and under-five mortality rates have been higher in children born to native mothers. Conclusions In Spain there is concern about the low birth rate of its population, and this study shows that total fertility rates are higher in the immigrant population. However, it has been found that infant and under-five mortality rates are higher in native children. These results highlight the paradox of the healthy migrant with younger mothers.