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Spain’s economy has emerged as one of the strongest among industrialized nations, thanks in large part to foreign workers. While anti-immigration sentiment rises across Europe and the U.S., Spain has embraced migration as a key driver of economic success.
“Tapping into foreign labour has been crucial for our company,” said Xavier Moreno, head of human resources at BonÀrea, a major Spanish food company. “Without workers from other countries, we simply wouldn’t be able to operate.”
This reliance on migrant workers has helped Spain’s economy grow by approximately 3% in the past year, significantly outpacing the eurozone average of 0.8%, according to the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Spain even surpassed the U.S., which recorded a 2.8% growth rate.
Foreign Workers Filling Critical Labour Gaps
Spain’s Ministry for Social Security and Migration reports that since 2022, around half a million foreign-born workers have filled 45% of all new jobs. Today, nearly 3 million foreigners make up 13% of the country’s workforce.
“We had two choices,” said Spain’s migration minister, Elma Saiz. “To be a closed and struggling country or an open and thriving one.”
Unlike Germany, where the manufacturing sector is in crisis, Spain’s economy thrives on services, particularly tourism. Many migrant workers take lower-wage jobs that Spaniards are unwilling to do, such as those in hospitality, agriculture, and construction. Spain also attracts millions of economic migrants from South America, who integrate quickly due to the shared language.
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Aging Population and the Need for Migrant Workers
Spain’s population growth since the COVID-19 pandemic has been almost entirely driven by immigration. In 2022 alone, 1.1 million migrants arrived, according to the Bank of Spain. This influx has been essential in sustaining Spain’s social security system, a challenge many European countries face due to aging populations.
Data from the Bank of Spain indicates that between January and September last year, 85% of the 433,000 newly employed people were foreign-born. Experts estimate that Spain will need 30 million additional working-age immigrants over the next 30 years to maintain the balance between workers and retirees.
Spain Resists the Anti-Migration Trend
Despite a growing anti-immigration movement across Europe, Spain has largely resisted far-right narratives. Anti-migration political parties exist, particularly those opposing unauthorized migration from Africa and Islamic countries, but they have not significantly influenced national policy.
For workers like Mohamed Es-Saile, a 38-year-old Moroccan who entered Spain illegally at 16 but now works legally as an electrician, Spain has been welcoming. “I don’t feel any hate toward migrants here,” he said. “In fact, I believe migrants can sometimes adapt better than locals.”
Spain’s migrant population is dominated by Latin Americans, who generally arrive legally. Over 4 million Latin Americans were living in Spain legally in 2023, with many working in essential sectors.
BonÀrea, for example, recruits workers from countries like Peru, offering support such as language classes, work permits, and housing assistance. Víctor Razuri, a 41-year-old mechanic from Peru, said he quickly adjusted to his new workplace. “At first, working with people from different countries was challenging, but now I’ve adapted,” he said.
Migration: An Economic Necessity
Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has consistently defended legal migration, emphasizing its economic benefits. In 2023, Spain added approximately 458,000 authorized immigrants, according to the National Statistics Institute. While 31% came from other EU nations, large numbers also arrived from Morocco, Colombia, Venezuela, China, Peru, and Ukraine.
Many new arrivals take jobs in construction, farming, fishing, home care, and cleaning—sectors struggling to find Spanish workers. “Welcoming those seeking a better life is not just a moral obligation,” Sánchez told Parliament in October. “It’s also essential for our future prosperity.”
In sectors like hospitality, foreign workers have become indispensable. Barcelona café owner Jordi Ortiz admits his business wouldn’t survive without them. “Eighty percent of my employees are from abroad,” he said. “Spaniards just don’t want to work in the service sector.”
Addressing Unauthorized Migration
Spain faces challenges with unauthorized migration, particularly across the Mediterranean and to the Canary Islands, where thousands risk their lives in search of a better future. In response, Spain has backed European Union agreements with Morocco to curb migration flows.
To provide legal pathways, Sánchez’s government launched a temporary work scheme with African countries. Additionally, in November, the government announced it would grant work permits to around 900,000 unauthorized migrants already in Spain over the next three years, ensuring they contribute to the economy.
Employers like BonÀrea are ready to hire. “We’ll have about 700 jobs available,” said Moreno. “And we’re eager to help these workers build a future here.”
A Model for Europe?
While much of Europe debates stricter immigration policies, Spain’s success highlights how welcoming migrants can fuel economic growth and strengthen social systems. By embracing immigration, Spain has not only boosted its economy but also positioned itself as a model for managing migration in an aging world.
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