On Tuesday, 5th December 2023, Marbella was reported to have become the seventh most populated municipality in Andalucía, with a population growth of 6.7% over the last five years. The city now has a total population of 150,725, surpassing the provincial capitals of Cadiz and Jaen. The cities with larger populations include Seville, Malaga, Cordoba, Granada, Jerez de la Frontera, and Almeria, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
Félix Romero, the town hall spokesman, stated that the city continues to attract more investments and residents due to its healthy growth. The increase in population is expected to boost the local economy, with more residents contributing to taxes and local services. The town hall has projected a surplus of nearly 11 million euros in the local budgets for 2024, attributing this to the influx of new residents.
New housing projects are underway to accommodate the growing population. Marbella is among the top municipalities on the Costa del Sol witnessing a housing boom, as per the Malaga College of Architects. In 2023, new homes were approved in Mijas, Fuengirola, and Marbella.
With a population exceeding 150,000, Marbella is now eligible for benefits such as a 7% increase in the Participation of State Income (PIE) and regional funds (PATRICA). This allows the city to receive more funding for projects from both national and regional sources.
Although the registered population in Marbella is 150,725, data on water demand and waste generation suggest a population of over 200,000, which doubles during the summer. Marbella is a favored destination for retired golfers and digital nomads from northern Europe during the off-peak season.
The city’s new population includes a significant number of foreign residents. Out of the total population, nearly a third (51,024) are foreigners. Since 2019, over 11,000 foreigners have registered as residents in Marbella, with 4,670 registering this year alone. The areas with the highest foreign population are Nueva Andalucía, Las Chapas, San Pedro, and the town of Marbella.
