Málaga’s population surge: 97% of new residents born abroad

by Lorraine Williamson
Málaga’s population growth

The demographics of Málaga province are changing rapidly. Recent data from Spain’s National Statistics Institute (INE) highlights a striking trend: nearly all new residents in the province were born outside Spain.

Foreign residents drive population growth in Málaga

On 1 January 2024, the province of Málaga had almost 22,000 new residents compared to the previous year. Of these, a staggering 21,370 were born abroad, representing 97.2% of the total increase. This contrasts sharply with the rest of Spain, where the proportion of foreign-born new residents is significantly lower.

The total registered population of Málaga now stands at 1,774,701—an increase of 21,973 from 2023. Of these, 1,360,385 were born in Spain, while 414,316 were born abroad.

A longer-term perspective

Between 2021 and 2024, Málaga’s population grew by 77,746 residents. Of this figure, 71,952—92.5%—were foreign-born. Over the same period, only 5,794 new residents were Spanish-born.

Cities feeling the impact

In Málaga city, Spanish-born residents are declining. On 1 January 2024, the city had 592,346 inhabitants, with 499,029 born in Spain—around 5,000 fewer than in 2021. However, the number of foreign-born residents grew by 19,352 to reach 93,317.

In Marbella, the shift is less pronounced but still notable. The city’s population rose to 159,054 in 2024. Of these, 98,261 were Spanish-born, 704 fewer than in 2021, while foreign-born residents increased by 10,726 to 60,793.

Projections for the next decade

This trend shows no signs of slowing. INE projections suggest that 92% of new residents in Málaga province between 2024 and 2034 will be foreign-born. Over this period, the province is expected to gain 303,844 new residents, with 280,600 coming from outside Spain.

A changing Málaga

As foreign residents continue to drive Málaga’s population growth, the province’s demographic landscape is shifting. Cities like Málaga and Marbella are already seeing significant changes, which will likely shape the region’s future.

This evolving demographic profile presents both opportunities and challenges for the province as it adapts to its increasingly international population.

Also read: Spanish cities with the highest growth from internal relocations

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