aging population
Over the past year, the province has seen a notable shift as the cohort aged 45 and older becomes the primary driver of job growth. This trend reflects ongoing demographic changes and highlights the rising importance of experienced workers in the labor market. Although the overall employment picture fluctuates, the age group 50 to 54 accounts for a sizable share of newly added participants, with another substantial contribution from the 60 to 64 bracket. The 16 to 24 group shows more modest gains, suggesting that while youth entry into the workforce remains important, the immediate momentum in employment is increasingly anchored in midlife and above. In the grand tally, summing all workers older than 45 reveals a clear impact: 17,644 more people found work compared with the previous year, representing roughly 74 percent of the total improvement in employment during this period. This pattern tends to distribute gains fairly evenly across age bands around this threshold, underscoring a broader shift in the labor market structure.
This evolution is largely explained by regional population dynamics. In practical terms, the aging of the local population means more workers in the older brackets and a growing share of the workforce comprised of experienced applicants. The effect is visible in the continual rise of older workers year after year, a trend that coincides with broader national aging patterns and the delayed retirement of the baby boom generation. Source: Generalitat Statistics Portal.
Around 8,800 Alicante retirees earn more than 3,000 euros per month
This situation emerges in part from persistent skill gaps among younger workers in various sectors, which pushes employers to rely more on seasoned candidates to fill vacancies in traditional industries such as agriculture, logistics, transportation, and footwear. A shift in corporate mindset is also taking hold. Business leaders increasingly value experience and steady commitment, recognizing that many firms face challenges in retaining talent. As one regional HR advisor notes, seasoned employees contribute reliability and a depth of knowledge that helps organizations navigate changing market demands.
Conversations with industry specialists further suggest that employers are prioritizing skills and hands-on capability over mere youth, which aligns with the reality that workers over 45 often adapt more quickly to evolving job requirements. This dynamic is echoed by business educators who emphasize the importance of practical expertise and long-term reliability in today’s labor market. Source: Generalitat Statistics Portal.
In the view of local academics and unions, the employment picture for workers over 45 is improving partly due to labor reform measures that have provided greater regularity and protection. These changes help stabilize many who previously faced precarious contracts and sporadic work schedules. In sectors where temporary arrangements were common, improved stability translates into more permanent or longer-term opportunities. Unions note that some informal or irregular arrangements were once underreported, so the official counts may still be catching up with ground realities. Source: Generalitat Statistics Portal.
Alicante breaks employment record and unemployment rate drops to 12.67%, the lowest level since 2008
Beyond age dynamics, a crucial factor in the past year has been the concentration of job gains in permanent contracts. During the period, Alicante added a substantial number of indefinite contracts, while the rise in temporary hires waned. The overall increase in employment leaned heavily toward full-time work, with a smaller portion attributable to part-time arrangements. This shift signals a healthier, more stable labor market progression, even as some sectors still adapt to post-pandemic conditions. Source: Generalitat Statistics Portal.