Marina Alta jobs remain strong despite end-of-summer slowdown

The Marina Alta has recorded its strongest August employment figures on record, with more than 70,000 people in work despite the seasonal dip following July’s historic peak

The end of the summer season has brought a predictable slowdown to the Marina Alta’s labour market, but the latest figures reveal a much more positive picture when compared with previous years.

The comarca recorded 70,242 Social Security affiliations in August, 1,057 fewer than in July. While that represents a monthly fall of 1.48 per cent, August still produced the highest number of affiliated workers ever recorded for the month.

The figures come from the Observatori Marina Alta, operated by CREAMA and PACTE’MA, with support from LABORA and Spain’s Ministry of Labour and Social Economy.

More jobs than a year ago

The strongest indication of the region’s employment health comes from the year-on-year figures.

The Marina Alta now has 3,333 more people affiliated to Social Security than it did in August 2025, representing growth of almost 5 per cent.

The figures suggest that while some seasonal jobs disappear as the busiest tourist months come to an end, the overall employment base remains considerably stronger than it was 12 months ago.

Accommodation services, for example, recorded 350 fewer affiliations than in July, while the retail sector lost 234. Sports, leisure and entertainment activities registered another 118 fewer.

Together, those three sectors accounted for around two-thirds of the monthly decline, highlighting the strong influence of the summer tourism season on the local labour market.

However, accommodation businesses still had around 1,100 more affiliated workers than they did in August last year, while retail had gained approximately 490.

Unemployment remains historically low

Registered unemployment increased by 77 people during August, reaching 7,282.

Again, however, the longer-term picture is considerably more encouraging.

The August increase was the second consecutive monthly rise, but the number of unemployed people remains the lowest recorded for an August since 2007.

Compared with August 2025, the Marina Alta has 184 fewer unemployed people, equivalent to a 2.46 per cent reduction.

The estimated unemployment rate has also fallen over the year, from 10.04 per cent to 9.39 per cent, remaining below the rates recorded across both Alicante province and the Valencian Community.

Contracts still ahead of last year

August saw 2,721 new contracts signed, a significant drop from July as the summer season wound down.

But once again, the annual comparison paints a brighter picture. The number of contracts signed was 10.97 per cent higher than in August 2025, with 269 more contracts recorded.

Looking at the first eight months of 2026, a total of 28,566 contracts have been registered across the Marina Alta. That is 18.64 per cent more than during the same period last year.

Permanent employment also remains a significant part of the picture, accounting for 65.05 per cent of all contracts signed during August.

A seasonal dip with a positive backdrop

The latest figures show that the Marina Alta is beginning to feel the normal employment adjustment that follows the peak summer season.

Yet, rather than signalling a broader deterioration, the figures underline the strength of the labour market compared with previous years.

The comarca has remained above 70,000 affiliations after reaching its all-time monthly high in July, while unemployment is at its lowest August level in almost two decades.

With more people in work than a year ago and fewer people unemployed, the latest figures suggest the Marina Alta is entering the post-summer period from a stronger employment position than it did last year.