Socioeconomic and demographic shifts in Alicante

The Alicante province is experiencing significant economic and demographic shifts. While the 2026 summer season saw record-breaking tourism with 95 percent hotel and apartment occupancy in August, the hospitality and retail sectors reported losses of up to 30 percent. Officials attribute this discrepancy to declining visitor purchasing power and urban layouts unsuited for extreme heatwaves.

Social and economic challenges are also rising. Homelessness in Alicante has increased significantly, with the number of people living on the streets tripling over the last decade to 415 in 2026. Additionally, studies indicate high income inequality in municipalities such as Elda and Torrevieja.

Demographically, the province has seen a major increase in foreign-born residents. In 13 municipalities, foreign nationals now outnumber Spanish citizens, with some coastal areas reporting that foreign residents comprise approximately 60 percent of the population. In Rojales, for example, nearly 12,000 of the 17,500 residents are foreign nationals, primarily from the United Kingdom and other European nations.