The Covid crisis, coupled with the unsettled backdrop of recent months, has left a deep mark on the province. Alicante now hosts about 600 fewer firms than in 2019. The recovery seen over the last two years after the initial loss of 2,700 companies has not yet matched pre pandemic levels. The construction sector stands as the only industry posting stronger numbers than before the health event, while only two counties, l’Alacantí and Marina Alta, managed to surpass their early pandemic counts.
Data published by the Valencian Statistical Institute for the second quarter of this year show 61,119 companies registered with Social Security in Alicante, compared with 61,722 in the same period in 2019. In other words, 603 fewer firms, with a later recovery, yet a rebound from the low during the quarantine period.
Overall, construction is the sole sector reporting higher figures than in 2019, with 6,801 firms now versus 6,441 before the health crisis. Other sectors show a negative balance: services have 46,317 firms compared with 46,891 in 2019, industry records 5,965 against 6,316, and agriculture holds 1,981.
In regional terms, only two counties exceed their 2019 totals. L’Alacantí counts 15,406 companies, up from 15,319 three years earlier, while Marina Alta sits at 7,046 versus 7,035 previously. All other areas remain below pre pandemic marks. For reference, Comtat records 958 this year versus 917 three years ago; l’Alcoià shows 3,371 against 3,403; Alto Vinalopó stands at 1,555 versus 1,641; Orta Vinalopó at 4,856 versus 5,061; Marina Baixa at 7,610 versus 7,847; Alt Vinalopó at 9,349 versus 9,425; and Vega Baja at 11,170 versus 11,263.
Paloma Taltavull, a professor of Applied Economics at the University of Alicante, notes that a closer look at regional data reveals a recovery more tied to service companies with stronger onshore assets than to manufacturing. This pattern, he argues, is not encouraging. He highlights manufacturing sectors such as textiles and footwear as the most vulnerable to the crisis, especially since these are export-oriented and contribute significantly to wealth creation in the province.
The state of Alicante is losing 2,300 companies a year due to the pandemic
This trend, according to Taltavull, should prompt policymakers to act more decisively. He calls for strategies that boost competitiveness and productivity through the adoption of new technologies and practical plans, not merely financial aid.
On the construction side, the figure shows 361 more companies than before the Covid period. Jesualdo Ros, general secretary of the Association of Property Developers of the State of Alicante, explains that this uptick is not as large as it seems. He suggests that the pandemic pushed many people into home improvement or remodeling projects, and the solar energy boom has driven a surge in installations, underscoring the need for capacity and skilled labor to meet demand.
Industry observers point out that the local economic landscape remains fragile, with growth concentrated in certain niches while other traditional sectors struggle to regain footing. The regional pattern highlights that a broad, resilient recovery will depend on strategies that support both services and industry, enabling diversified growth across the province.