Spain’s labor market is undergoing significant change: almost all new jobs created since the start of 2024 have gone to newcomers. This is more than just statistics — it marks a major shift in the employment structure, already felt in everyday life and the country’s economy. According to El Espanol, it is migrants who have driven employment growth, allowing Spain to reach a historic high in the number of people working.
The country is now home to over 10 million people born outside of Spain. Of these, 2.8 million have already obtained citizenship, while the rest continue to shape the labor market as foreign workers. Their presence is especially strong in sectors such as domestic services, hospitality, construction, and agriculture. In these areas, the share of newcomers outpaces that of locals, and in some sectors, foreigners make up an absolute majority.
Statistics and trends
According to recent data, migrants have taken 79% of new jobs in 2024. In certain industries, their share is even higher: in domestic service, it’s 71%, with most of these positions held by women from Latin America. Foreigners account for 45% of hotel jobs, 32% in construction, and 31% in agriculture. The food industry also shows a high concentration of workers from other countries.
Overall, among all employed migrants, nearly half are from Latin America, 19% are citizens of other EU countries, 17% are natives of Africa, 9% are Europeans from outside the EU, and 6% are Asians. Over the past eight years, the number of foreigners in Spain has grown by almost two million, while the local population has declined due to low birth rates.
Impact on the economy
The large-scale recruitment of foreign labor has enabled Spain to reach record employment numbers, with almost 22 million people registered in the social security system. In 2025 alone, 208,000 new foreign workers entered the labor market, accounting for 43% of all new jobs created that year. According to Ale Espanol, a legalization process launched by the government could add up to 1.25 million more migrants to the workforce.
Another important factor is that 17.6% of minimum income recipients are foreigners, accounting for more than 420,000 people. A significant portion of their earnings is sent abroad: in 2024, migrants sent €11.36 billion to their families, with the majority of these transfers going to Latin America and Africa.
Demographic changes
Spain now has 3.3 million children born in the country to at least one foreign parent. This is shaping a new generation that will influence society and the economy in the coming years. Among all migrants living in Spain, Moroccans remain the largest group—with over one million people—followed by Colombians (850,000).
Within the employment structure of foreign nationals, women are notably concentrated in domestic work, while men predominantly work in construction and agriculture. In industry, migrants most often find jobs in food production enterprises.
According to Ale Espanol, out of 10 million migrants, 2.8 million have already acquired Spanish citizenship and are therefore not included in the official statistics of foreign workers. However, their contribution to the economy and society remains significant.
In recent years, Spain has encountered similar trends: a growing number of migrants, their expanding presence in key sectors, and active involvement in the domestic economy. For example, in 2022 and 2023, there was also a notable influx of labor from abroad, which helped offset the decline in the local population and support the development of the service and agriculture sectors. Similar patterns are seen in other European countries, where migration is becoming a crucial factor in sustaining economic growth and addressing demographic challenges.
