MARBELLA – Marbella has emerged as the seventh most populous municipality in Andalusia. With an impressive growth of 6.7% over the past five years, Marbella now has a population of 150,725.
This means that the famous seaside resort leaves the provincial capitals Cádiz and Jaén behind. Only Seville, Málaga, Córdoba, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, and Almería have more inhabitants. These figures come from the SUR and the National Institute of Statistics.
The appeal of Marbella
Félix Romero, spokesperson for the municipality, emphasizes the appeal of Marbella: “We see healthy growth. More and more people want to live here and invest in our city.” This population increase promises a boost to the local economy, with more residents paying taxes and contributing to city services.
Residential construction
A budget surplus of almost 11 million euros is expected for 2024 compared to 2023. This is partly due to the arrival of new residents. Marbella is also a leader in the Costa del Sol in the field of housing. According to the Order of Architects in Málaga, 162 new homes to be built in Marbella alone have been approved by 2023.
More funds for Marbella
By exceeding 150,000 inhabitants, Marbella qualifies for additional benefits, such as a 7% increase in State Revenue Participation (PIE) and regional funds (PATRICA). This means more budget for projects from both the national government and the Junta de Andalucía.
The actual population
Although the official registered population is 150,725, data on water consumption and waste generation indicate more than 200,000 people. That number also doubles in the summer. In the low season, Marbella is popular with retired golfers and digital nomads from Northern Europe, escaping the cold.
Foreign residents
The high number of foreign residents in Marbella is striking. Almost a third (51,024) of the 150,725 inhabitants come from abroad. Since 2019, more than 11,000 foreigners have settled in Marbella, including 4,670 this year alone. 86% of the population in Nueva Andalucia is foreign, followed by 56% in Las Chapas, 27% in San Pedro, and 16% in the city of Marbella itself.
The province
In the province of Málaga, Marbella is even the second municipality with the most inhabitants after the capital Málaga. This is followed by the municipalities of Mijas, Vélez-Málaga, Fuengirola, and Estepona.
Also read: Costa del Sol is increasingly a luxury destination, with Marbella at the forefront
