Economy, jobs and prices in Málaga, Spain: official figures
The unemployment rate in Málaga was 12.3% in 2024 (13.9% for women, 10.8% for men).
What are the main jobs in Málaga?
268,354 jobs were based in Málaga in 2024; the biggest employers were trade, transport, hotels and restaurants (31% of jobs) and professional, scientific and administrative services (21%).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many tourists visit Málaga?
Tourist accommodation in Málaga recorded 1,076,061 nights in 2020, 47% by visitors from abroad.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many cars are there in Málaga?
There were 431 registered cars per 1,000 residents in 2024.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyMore figures
- In the EU's 2023 survey of quality of life in European cities, 73% of residents of Málaga were satisfied with public transport. Source: Eurostat · saved copy
- In the EU's 2023 survey of quality of life in European cities, 20% of residents of Málaga agreed that it is easy to find a good job in the city. Source: Eurostat · saved copy
How Málaga compares with other cities in Spain
Unemployment rate (2024)
Málaga ranks 21 of 45, highest first.
| Rank | City | Unemployment rate |
|---|---|---|
| 18 | Salamanca | 13.4% |
| 19 | Murcia | 13.4% |
| 20 | Tarragona | 13.1% |
| 21 | Málaga | 12.3% |
| 22 | Girona | 12.2% |
| 23 | València | 12.2% |
| 24 | Vigo | 12.2% |
Cars per 1,000 residents (2024)
Málaga ranks 31 of 45, highest first.
| Rank | City | Cars per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 28 | Sevilla | 434 |
| 29 | Alicante/Alacant | 432 |
| 30 | Oviedo | 431 |
| 31 | Málaga | 431 |
| 32 | Gijón | 426 |
| 33 | Tarragona | 424 |
| 34 | Vitoria-Gasteiz | 418 |
Tourist nights (2020)
Málaga ranks 2 of 32, highest first.
| Rank | City | Tourist nights |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marbella | 1,336,535 |
| 2 | Málaga | 1,076,061 |
| 3 | Alicante/Alacant | 925,184 |
| 4 | Cartagena | 793,193 |
| 5 | Zaragoza | 767,613 |
| 6 | Tarragona | 620,705 |
| 7 | Córdoba | 554,278 |
More on Málaga: overview · health · poverty and living standards · government and politics · all cities in Spain
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctour: Urban Audit: culture and tourism (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 235d13e6125c…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_clma: Urban Audit: labour market (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 be050965f9c6…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_percep: Quality of life in European cities survey 2023: perception (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 81bd3e277f3e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset urb_ctran: Urban Audit: transport (cities), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 c4e74aa07496…)
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