The number of UK residents in Murcia, Spain rises by 30 per cent

August 8, 2006

[b]Murcia[/b] has taken over as the fastest-growing region in mainland [b]Spain[/b] due to the influx in foreign residents who are coming to live in new housing complexes, it was revealed this week. The construction boom which has seen vast developments and golf resorts built in municipalities both on the Costa Cálida and inland has led to a rapid rise in the non-Spanish population. INE statistics show that the number of inhabitants in the region grew by 27,000 last year reaching 1,362,546 – a rise of two per cent. Nearly two thirds of the new residents – a total of 16,757 – are foreigners. Last year’s dramatic increase has pushed the number of non-Spaniards in the region up to 181,773. And the largest increase has occurred in the British community which shot up by nearly 30 per cent during 2005. The number of Brits on the census rose from 9,800 to 13,889 with many more believed not to be registered on the padrón. UK residents are said to be attracted by the underdeveloped nature of parts of Murcia’s coast as well as new luxury golf resorts. For an extensive choice of new and off plan property for sale in Spain on the Costa Blanca and Costa Calida, visit the Novocasa website.