Public sector is one of the biggest drivers of employment in the state last year. Although hospitality showed strong growth, the strengthening of services such as health and education and the implementation of selective processes across administrations and public institutions fueled new practices. One in five new jobs in 2023 in Alicante depended on the public sector. This region has traditionally carried less weight in civil service, yet that balance shifted with recent developments.
According to the latest Social Security data, the public sector across Alicante averaged 88,459 residents in December, up 3,962 from the previous month. With total membership up by 21,464, this growth is attributed to various administrations and their affiliated organizations and companies, representing 18.5 percent of all new jobs created.
This rise set a new historical peak. Although the pace was slower than the record period just before, the upward trend persisted despite measures aimed at stabilizing the public deficit since 2013. The acceleration was supported by a pandemic-era relaxation that allowed fewer retirements to be replaced, enabling greater staff renewal in the public system.
Regional administration in Alicante shows Generalitat as the largest employer, adding 3,119 new staff in the past year. By December, departmental heads and their affiliated units employed 56,332 people in the province. This figure includes not only public authorities but also workers for public enterprises and related entities.
Central government presence also grew with the addition of 600 new staff this year, reaching a total of 6,158 by year end. Local governments, including the Provincial Council, employed 25,968 residents, up 243 year over year.
Alicante City Council approved proposals for 137 public employment positions
The general secretary of the regional federation notes that relaxing renewal norms has enabled many councils to incorporate supplements and expand staffing through municipal programs. He highlights that staff increases have often been directed through autonomous units and contract programs to bolster service delivery. Nonetheless, many municipal councils face shortages due to population density and expanding responsibilities, which they must manage within existing powers and budgets.
Unions contend that while the figures reflect improvement, many essential services remain underfunded. Waiting lists and appointment delays in healthcare and other sectors persist, according to a spokesperson for a major union federation.
A provincial president of another union notes that the health sector will require more than three thousand additional staff to reduce student-teacher ratios and to recruit needed personnel across post offices, social security, penitentiary institutions, and schools.
Healthcare presents a large public employment offer with over 4,500 places
After several years of slowdown, several administrations launched new recruitment processes to strengthen their ranks. For instance, in December the health ministry announced an offer that would fill around 4,500 positions at the autonomous level.
below average
Overall, the public sector accounts for 12.1 percent of all Social Security affiliates in the state, a figure two points below the national average of 14.3 percent. Regions with the highest public sector share include Ceuta, Teruel, Cáceres, Badajoz, and Álava, while Almería records the smallest share among provinces.
Opposition to reducing insecurity
In addition to open examinations and workforce expansion to recruit new officers, various administrations have implemented stabilization measures to secure the civil service in recent years. Although it may seem paradoxical, the public sector still carries a high share of temporary workers due to its large scale. As a result, consolidation exams are being pursued to lower the temporary employment rate toward targeted levels around 8 percent.