Almeria, Spain, known for its high concentration of foreign laborers
Foreign Workers Fuel Almeria's Job Market Growth
Almeria, Spain, is witnessing a surge in the number of foreign workers, particularly in the agricultural sector, contributing significantly to the province's job market growth.
According to recent statistics, around 40% of the new jobs created in Almeria over the last 12 months have been filled by foreign workers. This trend has resulted in a total of 71,403 foreign workers now registered with Social Security in the province.
The increase in foreign workers has been particularly pronounced among those from countries outside of the European Union. Currently, there are 28,771 non-EU workers registered in Almeria, significantly outnumbering the 12,881 European workers.
The agricultural sector, with its year-round intensive production under plastic greenhouses, is a significant employer of foreign workers. In Almeria, 31,335 foreign workers are employed in this sector, compared to 30,681 working in other types of jobs.
The popularity of Almeria among expatriates seeking employment is due to several factors. The region's year-round intensive agriculture creates a high and steady need for agricultural labor. Agriculture in Almeria involves many seasonal tasks requiring a large, flexible workforce, often filled by foreign and migrant workers.
Despite the challenging labor conditions and harsh living conditions, many workers endure stressful conditions and poor-quality housing with limited ventilation in a very hot environment. However, the economic necessity and the modest cost of living, along with the favourable climate, continue to attract expatriates and foreign retirees to the province.
Almeria, known as the "orchard of Europe," produces many vegetables continuously, attracting many foreign seasonal workers to meet labor demands. The province's spectacular economic growth, closely tied to these agricultural practices, continues to drive ongoing demand for labor.
Almeria remains the province with the second-highest number of foreign employees in Andalucia, surpassed only by Malaga. In the past 12 months, Almeria has contributed approximately 200,000 new jobs to its population, with 40,000 of these jobs corresponding to foreign workers. The total number of non-EU workers, agricultural and otherwise, exceeds 50,000 in Almeria.
The ratio of men to women among foreign workers in Almeria is nearly 2:1, with 46,847 male foreign workers and 24,557 female foreign workers currently registered. This demographic shift underscores the crucial role foreign workers play in Almeria's economy and job market growth.
- The surge in foreign workers in Almeria, primarily from non-EU countries, extends beyond the agricultural sector, as they also fill a significant portion of the roles in Almeria's businesses.
- The continuous growth in Almeria's job market, driven by its intensive agriculture and favorable economy, has led to a substantial increase in the number of foreign workers engaged in finance-related businesses as well.
