In Easter, fresh news arrives for Alicante’s labor market. The region sees hiring push and the reopening of many businesses in the hospitality sector to welcome visitors during the peak season. Temporary shutdowns have given way to a rebound, with hiring numbers reaching the best figures in years, according to government data released on Tuesday.
Over the past month, 10,346 new jobs were created, surpassing the 9,532 roles recorded in 2022 and higher than pre-pandemic totals (8,392 in 2019 and 9,856 added in 2018).
With this growth, the number of Alicante residents affiliated with the Social Security system reached 710,555. Official figures show 24,354 more jobs than a year ago. Still, the total remains below the near 720,000 jobs observed during the peak summer tourist season.
On the employment front, unemployment figures at Labora offices—the Generalitat’s public employment service—fell by 1,826, bringing the total unemployed to 139,989. The drop in unemployment trails job creation, since many job seekers are not yet registered or are transitioning into the labor market as activity resumes.
Momentum in February keeps the state above 700,000 members
By sectors
The revival in employment owes much to the hospitality sector, which accounted for more than half of March’s new jobs. Restaurants, bars, hotels and related businesses added 5,546 positions compared with the prior month.
In other sectors, gains were widespread. Industry saw a slight dip with a loss of 24 affiliates, while trade added 683 new workers. The construction sector increased payrolls by 649, and education services hired 577 people.
First year of labor reform leaves nearly 272,000 new workers in Alicante
Administrative activities and business services contributed 556 more employees, and the health sector added 485. Plans indicate most of the job growth involved standard and support roles across multiple fields. Among the figures, self-employment rose to 138,917, with 759 new self-employed individuals joining in the month.
Stable employment
The effects of labor reform persisted, even as the surge in employment reflected seasonal tourism activity. Of March’s 42,785 formal contracts, 26,271 were permanent, a rise of 38% year over year, underscoring a durable shift toward longer-term employment across the region.