The number of foreign workers contributing to Spain’s Social Security system has reached a new all-time high, exceeding 3.35 million average contributors during May. Compared with the previous month, the increase surpassed 111,000 people, while year-on-year growth approached 289,000 workers, highlighting the growing role played by international labour in the Spanish economy.

Foreign workers now account for more than 15 percent of all contributors and have become one of the main drivers of job creation in recent years. Since 2022, the number of contributors from other countries has risen by more than 900,000, reinforcing their importance in sustaining economic growth and employment across Spain.

Their presence extends across all productive sectors, with particularly strong representation in hospitality, agriculture, construction, transport and administrative services. Foreign workers also play a key role in domestic employment and agricultural activities, where they represent a significant proportion of the workforce.

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Social Security reaches a new record with 3.36 million foreign workers following an increase of more than 111,000 in the last month

Employment stability among this group has continued to strengthen, with the vast majority of foreign workers holding permanent contracts and temporary employment reaching historically low levels. This trend reflects a growing consolidation of labour conditions and a deeper integration into the national productive system.

At the same time, entrepreneurship among foreign nationals continues to expand. The number of self-employed foreign workers is approaching 520,000, representing annual growth of more than seven percent. Particularly noteworthy is their increasing participation in highly skilled sectors such as telecommunications and software programming, where foreign entrepreneurs are gaining a growing presence.

The figures also reveal a stronger participation of women, with more than 1.4 million female foreign workers registered in the Social Security system, alongside a broad diversity of nationalities. Overall, these developments underline the significant contribution made by foreign workers to economic development, the sustainability of the social protection system and the continued dynamism of Spain’s labour market.