Costa Blanca jobs boom: Marina Alta records best February employment figures

The Costa Blanca’s Marina Alta region has recorded its best February employment figures on record, with close to 63,000 people now registered with Spain’s Social Security system.

New data from the Observatori Marina Alta shows that 62,989 workers were officially affiliated in February 2026, marking the highest total ever recorded for this time of year in the comarca.

The figure represents a monthly increase of 932 workers compared with January, highlighting a strong rebound after the usual seasonal slowdown that follows the Christmas period.

For expats living and working on the Costa Blanca, the figures reflect a regional economy that continues to benefit from tourism, hospitality and construction activity.

Unemployment also continues to fall

The improvement in employment has also been accompanied by a small drop in unemployment.

In February, the number of people registered as unemployed in the Marina Alta fell by 86 people, leaving a total of 7,691 jobseekers across the region.

Although the decrease is slightly smaller than typical for this time of year, it still represents the best February unemployment figure since 2008.

Overall, the estimated unemployment rate in the comarca now stands at around 10.88%, which is lower than the averages for both the province of Alicante and the wider Valencian Community.

Tourism and services driving job growth

The Marina Alta economy is heavily linked to tourism, and that continues to shape the labour market.

According to the employment report, hospitality led job growth in February, adding 558 new workers as businesses began preparing for the spring tourism season.

Construction and retail also recorded notable increases in employment, while the number of self-employed workers grew slightly with 118 additional registrations.

These sectors traditionally play a key role in the local economy, particularly in popular towns such as Dénia, Jávea (Xàbia), Calpe and Moraira, which rely heavily on visitors and seasonal residents.

Positive trend for the Costa Blanca economy

The latest data also shows a steady long-term improvement in the region’s labour market.

Compared with February 2025, the Marina Alta now has 2,050 more people in work, representing an annual employment growth of 3.36%.

The comarca has now maintained a positive employment trend for 16 consecutive months, suggesting stable economic momentum as 2026 begins.

For expats considering working or investing in the Costa Blanca, the figures underline how the region’s economy continues to expand – driven largely by tourism, services and ongoing development along Spain’s Mediterranean coast.