The latest annual population figures from Spain’s National Statistics Institute, the INE, show that all 33 towns in the Marina Alta have seen changes in their population over the past year.
As expected, the biggest increases were recorded in the larger coastal towns, especially those with a strong tourist focus.
Calpe saw the highest rise in real numbers, welcoming 803 new residents. This represents a population increase of 2.93% compared to 2024. Dénia added 402 people during 2025, a growth of 0.85%, and remains the most populated town in the region with 47,568 residents.
Jávea followed, with 335 new inhabitants, an increase of 1.09%. El Verger and Ondara shared fourth place, each growing by 222 residents. El Verger recorded a 3.99% rise, while Ondara grew by 2.87%.
Small towns with the fastest growth
When looking at percentage growth rather than total numbers, several smaller towns stand out. Benimeli leads the list, with its population growing by 4.01%. That may only be 19 people, but in a small village everyone will notice.
El Verger again features strongly with a growth rate of 3.99%. Beniarbeig follows with a 3.74% increase, adding 95 residents. Ràfol d’Almúnia also recorded solid growth, with 23 new inhabitants, a rise of 3.10%.
Marina Alta: Towns losing population
Not all municipalities shared in the growth. Nine towns in the Marina Alta recorded a fall in population between 2024 and 2025. Llíber saw the biggest drop in numbers, with 40 fewer residents, a decrease of 4.20%.
In percentage terms, the sharpest decline was in Vall d’Alcalà. Losing 16 residents may not sound dramatic, but it represents a fall of just over 10%, leaving the town with 159 inhabitants in 2025.
Other towns with smaller declines include Sanet y Negrals, down by 15 residents, and Murla, which lost 11 people. Orba also recorded a drop of 11 residents, although this only represents a 0.46% decrease due to its larger size. Castell de Castells lost 8 inhabitants, Tormos 5, Senija 3, and Vall d’Ebo 2.
Overall, population decline is almost entirely concentrated in the smallest villages. Orba is the only town among those losing residents that still has more than 2,000 inhabitants.
The figures highlight a familiar Costa Blanca pattern. Coastal and well connected towns continue to grow, while some smaller inland villages are quietly shrinking.
