Moroccan Community Emerges as Largest Foreign Group in Spain’s Malaga Province

Of the 1.77 million inhabitants in the province of Malaga, 414,316 of them – or 23% – were born abroad, according to the latest data from the annual Spanish population census for 2024 published by the INE. In terms of numbers, it ranks fifth for the highest number of foreign-born residents, behind Madrid (1.7 million), Barcelona (nearly 1.4 million), as well as Alicante and Valencia, where they exceed half a million.

With 55,422 inhabitants, Moroccans constitute the largest foreign community in Malaga. They are followed by the British (49,100) and Argentinians (38,137). Colombians (23,891) and Ukrainians (19,654) complete the top 5. Venezuelans (14,999) take sixth place. Next come Germans (14,085) and Paraguayans (13,410). The French (11,659) occupy ninth place while Russians (11,514) take 10th place.

Several reasons drive foreigners to settle in the province. Some come to work here in search of a better future than that offered by their country of origin. This is the case for most people from North Africa or Latin America. Fleeing international conflicts also motivates some people to settle in the province. This is the case for Ukrainians. European retirees choose Malaga to enjoy the milder climate and life by the sea.