State governance is backing the labor market. Even amid inflation and the unsettled mood sparked by the war in Ukraine, Alicante’s economy shows resilience. The survival rate of businesses and the steady growth of both new and existing firms have driven a real expansion in the region’s company base.
By the end of last April, Alicante recorded 61,649 companies registered with the Social Security Institute, nearly a thousand more than the same period a year prior. This figure matters because it counts only firms with at least one paid employee, excluding holding companies without staff or self employed individuals who work alone.
In other words, these are businesses with actual activity and at least one worker beyond the owner, underscoring the strength of the post pandemic recovery. The uptick in registrations aligns with a higher occupational record in recent months, reflecting a robust labor market trend.
Yet the growth is not uniform across the province. Data from the Valencian Statistical Institute, covering up to March, shows that coastal tourist zones and l Alacantí have seen the largest increases in active turnover. In contrast, areas such as El Comtat, l’Alcoià and Medio Vinalopó reported negative figures.
The hospitality sector stands out as one of the fastest growing fields.
Delving into municipality level details, Alicante city emerges as the leading earning hub with 119 companies last year and a total of 11,322 firms employing at least one worker. Torrevieja follows with 99 new operational jobs, reaching 2,532 in total. Orihuela reports 2,843 in total with 81 firms more employees than a year ago, and Benidorm has added 80, lifting its count to 3,337.
On the other side, several municipalities show declines, including Banyeres with 15 fewer firms, Ibi with 12 fewer, Pinos with nine fewer, and Onil with seven fewer, illustrating the uneven landscape across the province.
Historically high employment is tied to Easter demand and the broader tourism cycle, which helped lift the province into a new employment record. The distribution of gains reflects sectoral strengths and the timing of economic activity across communities.
In the sector mix, the uneven evolution is tied to which activities have powered the recovery. Overall, construction led the way in the first quarter, with many promotions accelerating and more homes being delivered. Construction firms added 183 more companies than a year earlier, with related trades such as plumbing, plastering, and electrical work contributing an additional 161, for a total rise of 344 businesses in this sector.
Meanwhile the service sector remains strong with food and drink service, especially hotels, reaching 8,587 companies, up about 230 from March 2022. Personal services, including hairdressers and tattoo studios, number 2,342, an increase of 114. In contrast, trade related industries faced some contraction with a reduction of 106 companies during the period.
More than 23,000 new workers entered the payrolls, lifting the province’s total employment to 536,277. This means the average firm in Alicante now employs about 8.6 workers.
These shifts illustrate how Alicante’s economy is blending a solid business creation pace with a diversified sector structure, offering jobs across construction, hospitality, personal services, and related trades. The sustained gains in employment and the broadened company base point to a resilient regional economy that continues to attract investment and generate opportunity for residents and visitors alike. Attribution: Valencian Statistical Institute, labor market data; local economic agencies and official projections.