Spain panic as 'over 20,000 people' left major city in 1 year over tourism-linked crisis

Over 21,000 residents have reportedly left a major Spanish city loved by Brits over a housing crisis made worse by overtourism. Malaga sees millions of tourists flock to its sandy beaches and bars every year, and with this has brought the rise of holiday let properties. As a result, many locals have been priced out of their home town and forced to move elsewhere where rent and house prices are cheaper.

The Mayor of Malaga, Francisco Del la Torre, said during his election campaign he would introduce measures to curb the influx of tourist accommodation, but some residents are unsatisfied with his actions. The Socialist municipal group in Malaga City Council said, in reality, Malaga has approved "almost 5,000 new tourist accommodation units and lost more than 21,000 residents".

Official figures from 2023 showed that 21,015 registered residents left Malaga, 6,695 of which were born in the city and many of them being between the ages of 30 and 50.

Socialist Party spokesman Daniel Pérez called it a "silent but brutal expulsion".

He said: "Young people, workers, and families are forced to leave their city because they can't afford rent or access housing, and the City Council is neither acting nor protecting its residents.

"The situation has not only not improved, but has seriously worsened during the two years of the Popular Party's mandate due to a moratorium that never materialises.

"More than 50% of people born in Málaga between the ages of 35 and 55 no longer live here. This is an entire generation displaced by a speculative model that prioritises tourist apartments over affordable housing.

"What has the mayor done about this? He even refused to declare a housing emergency at the last plenary session, despite having publicly acknowledged it. That demonstrates his consistency and commitment to Malaga."

The Bank of Spain also found that 40% of homes in the city are not available for regular residential use, with many lying empty in the off season when tourists go back home.

EU funding is being used by the Spanish government to build new apartments and social housing, but this has been focussed in cities like Madrid and questions remain around whether the demand for 230,000 new homes annually will be met.