Wages in the province rose for the second consecutive year in 2016, and by more than in the rest of Spain. Figures from the Tax Agency show that on average workers in Malaga earned 15,651 euros gross last year, which is 1,118 euros a month (as 14 payments). This was 274 euros a year more than in 2015, an increase of nearly 1.8 per cent. Nationally, however, wages increased by an average of 190 euros a year, which is about one per cent.

Overall, however, Malaga is still well down the list in terms of wages compared with the rest of Spain, where the average was 18,835 euros a year, 3,184 more than in Malaga. In fact, Malaga is 11th on the list of wage levels, although it is higher than the average for Andalucía, which stands at 14,868 euros a year.

We have to bear in mind that the increase in the average wage is not only due to the fact that employers are paying more after years of wage freezes and cutbacks. The economy is recovering so there is also more work now.

The tax agency report also shows that the average wage varies, depending on whether the workers are employed all year round or only for a few months, and whether they work full or part time. This is why many (four out of ten) people in Malaga earn less than the average minimum.