The Alicante labor market has shown a notable expansion, with a growing mix of accents reflecting a population that is becoming more diverse and able to sustain industries such as hospitality, construction, and social services. This shift occurs amid aging demographics and significant social changes that limit the local workforce
growing challenge for many sectors.
New data from the latest Active Population Survey confirm the trend: the province added 57,500 jobs between the third quarter of last year and the same period in 2023. Among these, 44,900 jobs were filled by workers born abroad, meaning foreigners account for 78% of the regions new hires.
That percentage is high, yet it aligns with broader patterns: foreigners contributed to 85 percent of the growth in the active population during that period, representing people who are seeking employment and actively job-hunting.
During the last summer, the province counted 132,200 workers from abroad in the workforce, compared with 738,100 Spaniards, a share of 15.2%. The influx of these professionals proved crucial in offsetting the aging trend: the number of workers over 45 is rising steadily, while the 25 to 44 bracket grows more slowly and inches toward retirement in some sectors.
The average age of construction workers has risen due to a shortage of new entrants to the field.
Without the input of foreign workers, the share of people aged 25 to 34 would have fallen by more than 20,000 in the previous year, and those aged 35 to 44 would have dropped by nearly 18,000, according to the EPA data. This reality is well understood by industry leaders. Javier Gisbert, president of the employers association FOPA, has long warned about the sectors struggles to attract new generations. Since the real estate downturn and widespread unemployment, construction could not lure younger workers. Although conditions have improved, the challenge remains significant.
Construction requires labor from abroad due to a shortage of 10,000 workers
Preventive measures helped soften frontline conditions, and salaries range from around 22,000 euros to more than 30,000 euros for experienced roles, roughly 1.5 times the national minimum wage. Yet these figures have not attracted enough local candidates, and recruiting foreign talent has become a central strategy.
Agreement
There is a push to retrain the unemployed through programs like those offered by FOPA and to shorten accreditation times. Two-year training paths are now delivered through six months of theory and six months of on-site training, but the prevailing short-term solution still relies on increasing foreign labor supply.
In fact, FOPA recently signed an agreement with a specialist company to begin hiring workers from South America at home, aiming to alleviate the sectors labor shortage.
The number of foreign workers in Alicanteonstruction sites rose from 20,200 to 24,800, illustrating a broader trend across industries. Agriculture has added 5,500 foreign workers compared to a year ago, industry has doubled to 11,900 workers in the third quarter of 2023 from 5,100 the prior year, and services have surged from 59,500 to 90,000 workers. The participation of foreign workers in many sectors is increasingly essential to maintaining operations and growth.
Maria del Mar Valera, president of the Alicante Provincial Hotel Entrepreneurs Association (Apeha), lauds the steady contribution of migrant workers to the local economy while lamenting the sectors failure to present professional growth paths that resonate with younger generations. She notes that the industry is often perceived as lacking clear career advancement opportunities, which affects recruitment and retention.
Alicante breaks employment records by creating almost 38,000 jobs in the third quarter
Industry leaders argue that wages in Alicante are competitive and that business owners are increasingly trying to improve working conditions, including flexible hours and better pay, to attract and retain staff. Foreign workers already represent a key component of the workforce across roles in commerce, social and healthcare services, and more.
Concerns about vulnerability persist. José María Ruiz Olmos, labor minister for CC OO in Le1lacantedes Marines, emphasizes the important contribution of migrant workers while noting their ongoing exposure to insecurity and potential abuse. He points out that the need to maintain leave and economical pressures can make it harder for these workers to resist exploitative practices. EPA data show that permanent foreign workers rose from 40,200 to 74,300, yet temporary contracts also increased from 16,800 to 33,400, reflecting a complex dynamic in the labor market. Ruiz Olmos also highlights persistent glass ceilings for professionals from other countries when it comes to promotion and higher-responsibility roles.