Spain’s social security system has crossed a major psychological and statistical milestone. For the first time in history, the number of registered foreign workers has exceeded 3.1 million. This new record was set in October, as 13,159 more foreign professionals joined the system, underscoring the steady influx of labor from abroad. The annual growth is even more remarkable at 7.2%—almost three times the overall employment growth rate in the country, which barely reached 2.4%. This trend clearly shows that foreign workers are now the key driving force behind Spain’s expanding labor market.
An analysis of the origins of new entrants to the social security system paints an interesting picture. The vast majority—about 70%—come from non-European Union countries. That’s over 2.15 million people forming the backbone of this new workforce. The remaining 30% are EU citizens. The largest worker diasporas are from Morocco (over 365,000 people) and Romania (about 340,000). They are followed by people from Latin America, especially Colombia (251,000) and Venezuela (almost 210,000), as well as citizens of Italy (211,000) and China (more than 126,000). This list vividly illustrates the global nature of labor migration to Spain.
The geographic distribution of foreign workers across the country is highly uneven. The main flows are concentrated in the most economically developed and dynamic regions. Catalonia is the undisputed leader in attracting foreign labor, with nearly 710,000 people employed there, most of whom are concentrated in the province of Barcelona. Next are Andalucía, with 640,000, and the Community of Madrid, where about 620,000 foreign contributors are registered. The Valencian Community is also among the key hubs of attraction. At the opposite end are regions such as Extremadura, La Rioja, and Cantabria, where the number of employed foreigners is significantly lower, reflecting economic and demographic differences within the country.
This demographic shift is not just dry statistics—it’s a reflection of profound changes in the economy and society. On one hand, the influx of migrants helps fill vacancies in sectors suffering from labor shortages and makes a significant contribution to the sustainability of the pension system. On the other, it presents the authorities with new challenges, including social integration, pressure on the rental housing market, and the need to adapt public services. It’s clear that Spain’s reliance on foreign labor will only continue to grow in the foreseeable future, becoming a key factor in long-term planning.
