A record 2.7 million foreigners are registered working in Spain

Spain has witnessed a historic surge in the number of foreign workers, reaching an unprecedented 2,712,113 in December 2023, as revealed by the Spanish Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration. This figure not only surpassed pre-pandemic levels by over half a million but also marked a substantial increase compared to November, with 12,839 more international workers contributing to the Spanish economy.

According to SchengenVisaInfo.com, the 8.5% surge in foreign workers in 2023, adding 208,057 individuals to the workforce compared to 2022, highlights Spain's attractiveness as a hub for diverse talents and skills.

Breaking down the demographics, the ministry disclosed that a significant 67.7% of foreign workers hailed from third countries, while the remaining 32.3% originated from European Union nations.

The top five countries contributing to this surge are>

· Romania (333,334)

· Morocco (323,143)

· Italy (175,743)

· Colombia (175,570)

· Venezuela (148,928).

The gender distribution among these foreign workers shows 56.1% are men and 43.9% are women, reflecting a balanced representation in the workforce.

A notable highlight is the influx of Ukrainian workers, with an extra 66,235 people, a 40.1% increase, since the onset of the Ukraine-Russia conflict. The Spanish authorities reported a rise of 18,976 Ukrainian workers compared to January 2022, underlining the impact of geopolitical events on migration patterns.

The majority of foreign workers, constituting 83.7%, fall under the General Regime, with over 2.2 million workers contributing across various sectors. Interestingly, while Agriculture and Special Agricultural Systems experienced a notable increase of 1.9% and 2.2%, respectively, sectors like Construction and Hospitality faced a decline of -1.7% and -1.6%.

Within the Self-Employment regime, 431,696 foreign workers were registered, with China, Romania, and Italy being the leading contributors at 14.4%, 10.9%, and 9%, respectively.

Geographically, Catalonia, the Community of Madrid, and Extremadura emerged as the regions with the highest number of foreign workers. However, despite this influx, Spain grappled with labour shortages and job vacancies throughout 2023.

In September alone, 143,868 job vacancies were registered, with sectors such as information and communication technologies, healthcare, construction, and hospitality experiencing the highest demand for skilled professionals.

As Spain continues to navigate the dynamic landscape of its labour market, the record-breaking influx of foreign workers adds a unique dimension to the nation's economic narrative, highlighting its resilience and appeal on the global stage.