Roquetas de Mar

Roquetas de Mar is a municipality in the province of Almeria within the Andalucia region of Spain. The population of Roquetas de Mar has grown rapidly since the 1990s, trebling in size. Much of this population increase is due the huge increase in greenhouse-based agriculture which has attracted substantial numbers of migrant workers. In addition to greenhouse agriculture, the tourist sector is an important mainstay of the Roquetas de Mar economy.

Roquetas de Mar has experienced rapid population growth in recent decades. The population has grown from 28,000 in 1990 to current size of over 91,000. The city has become one of the main settlement areas of the immigrant population in Spain and Andalusia, with migrants making up at least 30% of its permanent resident population.

The migrant population is continuously and systematically renewed through several processes, mainly reunion of families and abroad and national newcomers. The migrant population is highly diverse. The main EU-migrant population is from Romania. The main groups of third country migrants are from Senegal, Morocco, Mali, Guinea Bissau and Ghana. The Municipality of Roquetas de Mar is very positive about its increasing population diversity, viewing this as an asset.