Orihuela ended 2025 with a registered population of 88,970 residents, confirming a sustained upward demographic trend. Municipal census figures show year-on-year growth of 3.7 per cent, equivalent to 3,245 new residents, marking a faster pace of increase than in previous years.

Growth has again been concentrated on Orihuela Costa, where the population rose by 7.7 per cent to 30,171 people. This compares with growth of just 1.1 per cent in the city of Orihuela, which now has 33,260 residents. Together, the city and the coast account for 71 per cent of the municipality’s total population.

The sharp rise on the coast has reinforced demands from residents’ groups and political representatives for greater public investment based on actual population levels. Campaigns are also under way to encourage residents to register on the municipal census ahead of the 2027 local elections, with estimates suggesting more than 60,000 people live permanently in the coastal area.

Several outlying villages recorded growth of more than five per cent, including Barbarroja, Corrientes Bajas and Torremendo. La Murada remains the most populous village with 3,382 residents. Across the municipality, Spanish nationals make up 60.4 per cent of the population, although Torremendo has a British majority.