The Community of Madrid has a population of approximately 6.8 million residents, making it the most populous autonomous community in Spain after Andalusia and Catalonia. It is a highly urbanized region, with over 80% of its residents living in the Madrid metropolitan area.
Since the late 20th century, the region has experienced significant population growth, driven heavily by international immigration and domestic migration from other parts of Spain. Major expatriate and immigrant communities include residents from Latin America (notably Colombia, Ecuador, and Venezuela), Romania, Morocco, and China.
The population is highly educated, with a large percentage holding university degrees, and enjoys one of the highest life expectancies in the world (often exceeding 84 years). The predominant language is Spanish, and while the region is traditionally Roman Catholic, it is increasingly secular and highly diverse in its cultural and religious practices.
