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Date Published: 05/04/2022

ARCHIVED - Calpe sees population growth during the pandemic as more expats settle in the Alicante town

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More than 24,000 people are currently registered in the coastal town in the Marina Alta, Alicante province

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Calpe sees population growth during the pandemic as more expats settle in the Alicante town

Whilst the pandemic brought sectors such as the tourist industry to a standstill, there has been movement of a different kind over the last 18 months in Calpe which has seen a 2% population growth as more and more expats choose to settle in the coastal town.

According to the National Institute of Statistics, a revision of the census shows that as of January 1, 2022, a total of 24,096 people are currently registered in the municipality – up by more than 500 since the last official figure. The census for municipalities is usually updated annually.

Almost 1,700 Brits live in Calpe, attracted by its climate, beaches and proximity to other resorts such as Benidorm (24km away), and Alicante Airport, less than an hour's drive. The Marina Alta is a haven for expats and is experiencing a rise in property prices and real estate investment, with the cost of more exclusive houses becoming even more expensive. In Calpe, the price of housing costs 2,274 euros/m2 making it pricey and above the regional average, and demand remains high.

Also of interest: Expat population in Denia grows for third consecutive year

Ensuring that expats and Spaniards looking for second homes keep coming to Calpe, and "avoiding a drop in the municipal census", is an "intense task for the local council", revealed Calpe Town Hall. Over the last couple of years, the municipality's Population Register Department has adopted a number of measures to prevent population loss and attract new residents.

"One of the main problems we detected was the lack of information for citizens, who in many cases are convinced that they are already registered or are unaware of the need to renew the census if they are foreigners," said the Town Hall in a statement.

To remedy this, the register department has carried out "extensive work" to raise awareness of the need to renew registration on the municipal register and letters have been sent to all expats in five different languages detailing exactly how the process works.

"All these efforts have resulted in the recovery of inhabitants after lowering the barrier of 20,000 inhabitants in 2016. As such, Calpe continues to recover inhabitants and economic subsidies."

Image: Ayuntamiento de Calpe

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