How many people live in Malaga? The city had 599,687 residents on 1 January 2025, according to the municipal Padrón, and the province reached 1,820,507 on 1 July 2026, according to provisional INE data.
The two figures refer to different dates, so they should not be compared as if they were from the same year.
The official figures, by area
| Area | Inhabitants | Reference date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| City of Málaga | 599,687 | 1 January 2025 | Municipal Padrón (Ayuntamiento de Málaga) |
| Province of Málaga | 1,820,507 | 1 July 2026 | INE, Continuous Population Statistics (provisional) |
| Spain | 49,801,559 | 1 July 2026 | INE, Continuous Population Statistics (provisional) |
In the city, the Padrón recorded 6,354 more residents than a year earlier, rising from 593,333 to 599,687 (+1.1%).
Who is driving the growth
According to INE, the province added 19,146 residents over the last year (+1.06%), compared with a national average of 0.90%. Three in four of the new residents (74.1%) are foreign nationals, and foreign residents now total 362,822 people, or 19.93% of the provincial population.
What it means for home buyers
More people on the same stretch of coast means more households looking for a flat, and a growing share of them are foreigners who buy or rent. That pressure helps explain why demand stays strong in the capital and along the Costa del Sol, although the final price depends on the area, the type of property and the stock available at each moment.
To relate population to prices, look at the specific area: the same number of residents weighs very differently in central Málaga than in a coastal municipality.
Conclusion
Málaga city now has more than 599,000 residents and the province is close to 1.82 million. If you are thinking of buying, selling or renting, the figure that matters most is demand in your specific area. At EVS we help you read it with figures for each municipality: get in touch and we will prepare a valuation.
FAQ
How many people live in Málaga city?
According to the municipal Padrón of the Ayuntamiento de Málaga, 599,687 people on 1 January 2025.
How many people live in the province of Málaga?
INE estimates 1,820,507 inhabitants on 1 July 2026. This is provisional data from the Continuous Population Statistics.
Why do the city and province figures have different dates?
The municipal Padrón has a reference date of 1 January each year. INE's Continuous Population Statistics publishes quarterly estimates, which is why the province figure is for mid-2026.
How many foreigners live in the province of Málaga?
According to INE, 362,822 foreign residents, or 19.93% of the provincial population, in the same provisional 2026 estimate.
What next? The most useful thing after reading is to look at the real market: browse properties by city or tell us on WhatsApp what you are looking for — area, budget, timing — and we will prepare a tailored selection, with no obligation.
You may also find useful: sell your property invest on the Costa del Sol free valuation monthly price report
