Malaga has a population of over 20% foreigners, according to the census 

The 2024 Malaga census showed that foreigners made up 23%, with the British ranking high. 

The Spanish National Statistics Institute has revealed that 23% (or 414.316) of Malaga’s population is foreign.

Malaga has the fifth-highest number of foreign residents after Madrid, Barcelona Alicante and Valencia. 

In other areas like Almeria or Santa Cruz de Tenerife, where the percentage of people born abroad is greater, as well as in Girona, Alicante, the Balearic Islands, and Girona (between 26 and 27%), it’s even higher. 

The number of residents who were born outside Spain in all these areas is higher than the national average of less than 20%. 

In 35 of Malaga’s 103 municipalities over 20% of the residents are foreigners, but one municipality is at the top of the list. 

Benahavis is the most luxurious enclave in the world, with 64% of its inhabitants being foreigners. 

This is mainly due to the British population (1,388), followed closely by Russians (556) 

Fuengirola comes in second place, with 44.6% international residents, most of whom are Finns and Brits. 

Fuengirola has a population of 1,624 people, 700 of whom are foreign-born. Competa, Alcaucin, and Sayalonga have a combined 44% of residents born abroad. 

Manilva and Torrox have a 40% foreign population, most of whom are from Britain, Germany, and Morocco. 

Marbella’s population of 159,054 people is made up of 60,800 foreign-born residents, or 37%.

Morocco has the largest number of migrants, followed closely by Colombia, Argentina and Britain.

Over a third (34 700) of Mijas’ 92 211 residents are foreigners, mainly Brits (7 193), Moroccans (3 617) and Argentinians. (3,208).

Argentina is also highly ranked in Benalmadena where 28,000 out of 78,000 residents are from outside Spain. 

The UK is the second most popular country in the world, with 3,438, followed by Morocco (2,812). 

Marbella has the highest percentage of foreign residents (34%) followed by Estepona (30%, 26,000), and Torremolinos (31%, 21,000). 

Casares Frigiliana Canillas De Albaida Ojen Archez are all smaller towns with a large number of people born outside Spain. The percentage is around 35%.

Monda, Canillas Del Aceituno (Cutar), Guaro, and Benamargosa are home to between 25-30% of foreign residents. 

Brits, Argentinians and other nationalities make up 34% of Nerja’s population. 

Brits also make up the majority of foreigners in Alhaurin el Grande (2279) and Coin (1700). 

The majority of Malaga’s population, Velez-Malaga, is from Latin America.