In a job market that remains unstable and marked by high unemployment, skepticism toward immigrants often grows among those who view newcomers as competitors. A barometer of misinformation and hate speech about immigrants shows troubling attitudes in Spain, with a portion of the population rejecting migration and others explaining rejection as a result of the immigrants’ perceived status rather than their actions. These sentiments mirror broader concerns about migration and integration across Europe.
The Active Population Survey reveals that the migrant population has a participation rate of 69.7 percent, combining employed workers and job seekers, higher than the national rate of 56.3 percent. Spain hosts around 5.4 million people born abroad, representing roughly 11.4 percent of the population, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics. These figures underscore the growing role of foreign-born residents in the labor market while highlighting persistent tensions about economic impact and social integration.
Rafael Grande, a sociology professor at the University of Malaga, notes that migrant workers are often preferred in periods of growth, yet suffer in times of crisis when job competition intensifies and the logic of the economic migrant loses its appeal. ACCEM, an NGO focused on integrating vulnerable groups, emphasizes that high employability among migrants stems from a young demographic, strong work capacity, and rapid retraining. Germán Hurtado, who coordinates the Field Employment Center within NGO programs, stresses that today the labor market heavily relies on foreign labor, particularly as population aging progresses and some native workers resist taking on certain tasks.
Experts point out that the higher qualifications and assertiveness of indigenous workers can place them in higher-level positions, while migrants are often drawn into the lowest paid, most precarious jobs. The sectors most affected include agriculture, animal husbandry, care work, logistics, and hospitality. Data from the National Statistics Institute show that the average annual salary for local workers stands at about €25,690, compared with roughly €17,922 for foreign workers, underscoring wage disparities that compound social inequalities.
Barriers to market access
Migration is a long journey that involves relocating across borders, languages, and cultures. Social rejection, unfamiliar laws, and different cultural norms can hinder integration into a new community. Hurtado points to the rich cultural diversity within Spain as a strength that also brings challenges. The EPA identifies the main obstacles for immigrants seeking work as gaps in recognized qualifications, insufficient education, and language barriers, all of which impede job access and career progression.
Another major hurdle is the digital landscape. Digital literacy is essential in modern employment markets, and bureaucracy often delays or blocks the recognition of foreign qualifications. Hurtado and Grande both advocate for a stronger welfare system that supports integration and makes it easier for skilled workers to contribute meaningfully. They argue that a robust social safety net is key to unlocking the potential of immigrants in a way that benefits the whole society.
First and second class immigrants
Experts identify three main geographic areas that supply the foreign-born population in Spain: Europe, Africa, and the Americas. Grande cautions that immigration in Spain is multifaceted, with some groups facing strong discrimination while others enjoy better standing in the labor market. He notes that migrants from eurozone or developed countries often achieve higher social status than those from other origins.
Hurtado recalls how the Ukraine crisis highlighted disparities in hiring practices, with many companies requesting workers who do not speak Spanish and preferring to wait for training rather than relying on established job banks. Discrimination also appears in gender differences. Women face double hurdles due to barriers to entry and gender bias. EPA data show a stark activity rate gap of about 14 percentage points between foreign men and women, and foreign women earn about €15,764 on average compared with €20,079 for foreign men.
Hurtado argues that the current situation may force a shift in how the immigrant population is perceived. To sustain a welfare state amid population aging, the country will need to harness the skills of migrants in stable, well paid jobs. Greater cultural integration and reduced spatial segregation are essential to ensuring that immigrants contribute across sectors and levels of the economy.