In Spain, families comprising of a single parent or those without children have exceeded the number of 'conventional families' (those with a married couple and children).

In the ever-evolving landscape of family dynamics, Spain has witnessed significant changes in recent years. Here's a look at some of the most notable shifts, as revealed by various studies and reports.

The National Institute of Statistics (INE) has reported that the traditional family structure, consisting of a father, a mother, and one or more children, now represents only 49% of households in Spain. This decline in traditional families has been offset by an increase in childless couples and single-parent families with one or more children. In fact, the sum of these two family types now outnumbers traditional families.

Interestingly, in 15 provinces across Spain, families made up of two parents and one or more children still predominate. However, the growth of single-parent families with one or more children has increased by eight percentage points in the last decade, making them a significant part of the family landscape. The provinces with the highest proportion of single-parent families are Las Palmas, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and Ourense.

The type of family that has grown the most, however, is that made up of a single parent with one or more children. This family type now represents one in four families in Spain.

One such document that sheds light on these changes is "The Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity, Ambiguity environment, and its impact on the family", launched by the Working Group on Family of the Spanish Evangelical Alliance. This document contains three papers and the group work done by almost one hundred participants of an inquiry on the family organized by the AEE. Contributors to the document include social educator Judit Gassó, Victor Mirón, and psychiatrist, lecturer, and writer Pablo Martínez Vila.

The document addresses the family model today and its substitutes, provides presentations for churches with long-term programs for families, and analyzes the situation of the family from a social point of view, discussing how new paradigms affect our thinking.

Other notable changes include the norm of shared custody in Spain, as of July 2022, and the decrease in the average household size from around four people in the 1970 census to less than three people currently. Additionally, where there are more foreigners, the household size in Spain is higher.

According to OECD data, between 78% and 87% of Spaniards keep in contact with their parents or children once a week. This strong familial bond is a testament to the importance of family in Spanish culture, despite the changes in family structures.

Perhaps the most striking change is the shift in demographics. In 2022, the percentage of married people no longer represents a majority in Spain. This marks a significant departure from the past and signals a new era in Spanish family dynamics.

Households with five or more inhabitants have grown in Spain due to migration. This trend, coupled with the changes in family structures, paints a vivid picture of a country in the midst of demographic and social transformation.

These changes, while challenging, offer opportunities for growth and adaptation. As the landscape of Spanish families continues to evolve, it is crucial to understand and navigate these changes with empathy and openness.

In Spain, families comprising of a single parent or those without children have exceeded the number of 'conventional families' (those with a married couple and children).