Estepona Second in Andalusia for Lowest Unemployment Rate

Estepona has achieved its best employment figures in 15 years, ranking second in Andalusia for the lowest unemployment rate at 7.78%

For residents and property owners in Estepona, a strong local economy means more opportunities and a vibrant community. Latest figures from Estepona Town Hall highlight the city's significant progress in job creation, solidifying its position as a leader in Andalusia.

Estepona has achieved its best employment figures in 15 years. The city now ranks as the second municipality in Andalusia, among those with over 40,000 inhabitants, to have the lowest unemployment rate. This rate, currently at 7.78%, has seen a two-point reduction in just one year. This marks a substantial decrease from 2011, when the unemployment rate stood above 27% – a drop of more than 20 points over 15 years. During this same period, Estepona's population has increased by approximately 20,000 inhabitants.

Estepona Town Hall policies are credited with this economic reactivation and strengthening of the local labour market. The city began 2026 with record employment, affiliation, and entrepreneurship data, and these positive trends have continued to improve throughout the year.

Strong Growth in Affiliation

In July, the number of individuals affiliated with Social Security reached 31,054. This represents a 135% increase compared to 2011, when the figure was 13,227, according to data from the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migrations.

Rise in Self-Employment

Estepona has also established itself as a hub for entrepreneurship, with a continuous rise in self-employed workers. In the last year alone, the number of self-employed individuals grew by over 5%, reaching 7,156 in July. This figure is also notable when compared to 2011, when there were 3,698 self-employed workers. Over the past 15 years, the number of people affiliated with the self-employed regime in Estepona has almost doubled, showing a 93.5% increase.