Costa del Sol residents are optimistic about the future and happy.

A recent survey by the Fundación Madeca 2025 barometer reveals that 76.3 per cent of Malaga province residents rate their region’s current situation as ‘good’ or ‘very good’, up four points from last year.

Presented by Diputación President Francisco Salado, the study of 2,400 adults across all parts (excluding Malaga city) shows Nororma and Sierra de las Nieves residents are the most satisfied, followed by those in Costa del Sol west and Valle del Guadalhorce. According to the study, 48.2 per cent of those surveyed believe conditions will improve even more in two years.

Salado stressed the survey’s role in shaping governance, saying, ‘This helps us align our actions with citizens’ demands.’ Housing was the number one concern, with 39% citing high property prices and 9.5% citing rental cost as concerns, overtaking last year’s focus of drought.

Mobility (4,6 per cent), healthcare (7%) (7%) and unemployment (7.4%) followed. 75.6 per cent of respondents own their homes. However, 28 per cent attribute access problems to high rents, tourism rentals, and job insecurity. Fixes include subsidised housing, and limiting tourism rentals.

Mobility was ranked fourth. 64 percent of respondents use private vehicles for work. However, 70 percent would use public transportation if it were feasible, particularly in Sierra de las Nieves. Proposed solutions include extending the Cercanías train to Algeciras and freeing the AP-7 toll road. Salado calculates infrastructure needs as Malaga approaches a population of two million, in order to balance economic vitality and growth.