According to the Family Observatory’s first report, Orihuela families allocate 45% of their annual income to housing (water, electricity, gas) and basic food. The main expense is housing, with 5,883 euros out of 19,740 euros spent, followed by food (3,189 euros), transport (2,332 euros), restaurants and hotels (2,183 euros), and other necessities.
The report highlights significant unemployment disparities, with women facing higher unemployment rates than men across all age groups. For instance, 1,670 women over 45 are currently unemployed, compared to 1,056 men, reflecting a 58% higher unemployment rate for women.
Entitled “Portrait of Orihuela Families,” the report also examines the local economic structure, noting that 63.8% of unemployment is in the services sector. Among the 2,890 Orihuela companies registered with Social Security, 2,059 are in the service sector, 405 in construction, 276 in agriculture, and 150 in industry.
The Observatory warns of the high poverty risk in Vega Baja, highlighting the fact that the region has the highest vulnerability rates in the Valencian Community, with 10% of the population severely lacking material and social resources.
