In the first half of the year, Alicante province kept the upward economic momentum that began as it emerged from the worst of the epidemic. During this period, 1,840 new companies joined the productive fabric, generating 26,080 jobs. Within a landscape where agriculture saw a decline in company numbers, services and construction led the way, driven in part by reduced crop variety. Experts caution that this positive trend may be nearing a plateau, and its persistence will hinge on how businesses adjust their models to evolving customer needs (Source: regional economic offices).
Recent statistics from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy indicate that, compared with the 59,998 companies recorded at the end of 2022, the province reported 61,838 Social Security registrations as of June 31. The services sector remains the largest with 46,798 companies, up by 1,436. Construction follows with 7,067 companies, an increase of 291. Industry shows a stable rise to 5,999 companies, up by 61. Agriculture remains the only sector in decline, with 1,974 companies after a drop of 52 (Source: Ministry data).
Employment figures show the province supporting 541,036 workers at the period’s close, up from 514,956 at year-end. The services realm leads with 406,912 employees, an increase of 22,188, while industry accounts for 83,191 positions, up by 3,214. Construction employs 37,629 workers, up 1,918, with agriculture showing a decrease of 1,240 workers and a total of 13,304 employed (Source: labor statistics).
Compared with the first half of last year, the scenery remains favorable. The state now records 720 additional companies and 19,177 more jobs than in the prior period. Services contribute 427 companies and 16,856 jobs, construction 266 and 2,009, while industry adds 34 companies but sheds 54 workers; agriculture loses 7 companies and 366 workers (Source: regional economic report).
The services sector’s rebound is closely tied to a vibrant tourism season. Hosbec, the hotel management association, was asked by its president to emphasize the high occupancy rates that have persisted since the early days of summer occupancy.
Construction remains in an active phase, with industry observers noting strong demand for second homes and residential tourism, alongside ongoing rehabilitation work and public projects. This activity is expected to pull in related sectors, from architects to engineers and suppliers of appliances, furniture, and textiles. A healthy construction cycle thus benefits services as a whole, creating a wider economic ripple effect (Source: industry analysis).
Agricultural decline has links to poor harvests and environmental stresses such as heat and pollution, which have affected yields and productivity in recent seasons (Source: agricultural outlook).
Establishment of a company in the province catches the rhythm before the epidemic
Industry tends to show more stability in its behavior, partly because starting a business requires a firmer capital commitment and longer lead times before profitability is realized.
Experts weigh in on the positive trajectory for both business creation and employment. Paloma Taltavull, a professor in the Department of Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Alicante, notes that the expansion cycle begun after the health crisis continues, underscoring the resilience of the Valencian economy despite the war in Europe, inflationary pressures, and higher borrowing costs. She emphasizes the region’s fundamentals remain solid while external shocks pose headwinds (Source: UA remarks).
Conversely, José María Gómez Gras, a professor of Business Organization at Miguel Hernández University, cautions that the cycle could show fatigue unless firms adapt to shifting consumer preferences and market realities (Source: UMH commentary).
Although company formation in Alicante province improved markedly in the first half of the year, capital increases fell by 19.8 percent versus the same period last year, signaling a potential cooling of the current broad cycle. Nationally, Axesor data show a 6.5 percent rise in capital, while the Valencian Community recorded a minimal 0.5 percent decrease (Source: Axesor radar).