Increasing Number of Foreign Residents in Alicante: Immigration Doubles in 20 Years

Alicante is now the tenth largest city in Spain by population. Two years ago, it surpassed Bilbao in the census, and by the end of 2024, the official population figures from the municipal register revision published in the Official State Gazette (BOE) last December recorded 358,720 inhabitants.

The city continues to grow at an approximate rate of 10,000 inhabitants annually (9,438 in the latest statistics). Population and Housing studies included in the General Structural Plan predict that by 2050, Alicante will nearly reach half a million inhabitants, specifically 479,422 in the best-case scenario. This figure surpasses the projections of the National Institute of Statistics (INE), which forecasts 432,713 inhabitants.

However, like the rest of Spain, Alicante is also experiencing a decline in birth rates and, consequently, natural growth. Interestingly, during the Covid pandemic years, "a natural population decrease of around 600 people each year" was observed. There are more residents, but fewer native Alicantinos. Or, more precisely, fewer born-and-bred Alicantinos.

The city's population growth is largely due to the significant influx of immigrants. From 2003 to 2022, the Spanish population increased by 6,359 people, equivalent to a 2% rise, while the foreign population in the same period grew from 24,384 to 50,691, an increase of over 100%. In 2003, foreigners represented 8% of Alicante's total population, whereas in 2022, they account for 15%.

The origins of the registered foreigners in the city are primarily European. About 35.5% of foreigners come from the European Union, followed by America (31.4%) and Africa (25.8%). Asians make up only 7.2% of the total immigrant percentage.

Foreign residents are mainly concentrated in three areas. Firstly, the central districts of Alicante, including Casco Antiguo-Santa Cruz-Ayuntamiento and Centro. Further north, there is a significant concentration of foreigners in Carolinas Bajas, Carolinas Altas, Pla del Bon Repos, and Campoamor. The last major concentration area is in the northern districts of Virgen del Remedio, Colonia Requena, Sidi Ifni-Nou Alacant, Cuatrocientas Viviendas, and Ciudad Elegida. In eastern districts like Vistahermosa or Playa de San Juan, there is also a high percentage of foreign population, although not as high as in the previously mentioned areas.

The most numerous foreign nationality in Alicante is Algerian, with a total of 7,389 members. Algerians are mainly located in northern districts such as Ciudad Jardín, Colonia Requena, Virgen del Remedio, Ciudad Elegida, or Sidi Ifni-Nou Alacant, but they also form a significant community in Casco Antiguo-Santa Cruz Ayuntamiento and Vistahermosa. In the eastern districts, they have a notable presence, especially in Playa de San Juan. Moroccans, with a population of 3,882, follow a similar distribution pattern to Algerians, but with a greater concentration in the northern districts and without significant communities in the eastern districts.

Interestingly, Colombians are the second-largest community in Alicante (5,600), significantly outnumbering other American countries like Ecuador (824), Cuba (738), or Peru (427). After Colombians, Venezuelans are the second-largest group, with over two thousand people residing in the city. The Venezuelan population is widely distributed across the city, with notable concentrations in some districts like Carolinas Altas and Carolinas Bajas.

On another note, there are more than two thousand Russians in Alicante, and Ukrainians are almost as numerous as their neighbours.

Among Europeans, the most widespread nationality is Italian (3,408 people). However, it is important to note that many Argentinians hold dual nationality, allowing them to access and move freely within the Schengen Area of the European Union without a visa.