In the province of Málaga, a record level of employment was recorded in April 2024. As many as 710,000 workers were active. This is important information also from the perspective of people who choose the Costa del Sol as a new place not only to live, but also to work.
New jobs are being created
One factor acting positively on the labour market is the start of the tourist season and the associated increase in employment in this sector of the Spanish economy. In April alone, the province of Málaga saw the arrival of as many as 13,000 new workers, registered by employers paying social security contributions. At the same time, unemployment fell slightly, with 4,160 people finding employment.
Compared to March 2024, the number of people working increased by 8,000. Indeed, a month earlier, around 5,000 people were employed in workplaces in the province of Malaga. In the tourism sector, 26,000 jobs were added in just two months! This shows the scale of demand in this segment of the economy. At the same time, it is a clear indication that Spain could be one of the leaders this year in terms of the destinations chosen by tourists planning their summer holidays.
Positive market news
Government figures show that the Malaga area is now the fourth Spanish province – with the highest growth in the number of people paying social security contributions. The Balearic Islands, Barcelona and Madrid ranked in the top three positions. As the detailed figures show, only the hospitality industry generated 7,000 full-time jobs between March and April. Thus, nearly 100,000 people are currently working in this sector! This is followed by administrative positions and support services. This is followed by more jobs in transport and logistics, retail trade and construction.
Comparing the figures across the year shows an increase in the number of employees by more than 20,000, which translates into a 2.8 per cent increase over the 2023 figures. The improvement in statistics is also generated by an increase in so-called self-employment. It contributes significantly to job growth, adding almost 4,800 full-time jobs in Malaga over the last 12 months. It is worth noting that in April alone, this segment recorded an increase of almost 900 people.
The Iberian Peninsula attracts
For years, the Spanish labour market has been attracting those wishing to find a place of employment in a slightly different climate. This destination is of interest to workers from all over the world, including ‘digital nomads’. It is a model of life that is not permanently tied to one place and is increasingly popular, especially among young people. Also, the popularisation of remote working has led more and more of our compatriots to choose Spain as their place of residence.
Spain also has a highly diversified labour market with strong sectors in tourism, gastronomy, IT, construction, automotive and renewables. This diversity opens up career opportunities for professionals in a variety of fields and, as a member of the European Union, Spain offers free movement of workers from other EU countries, making it easier to take up a new job.
