Orihuela closed 2025 with a population just shy of 89,000, confirming a steady pattern of growth that shows no sign of slowing down.
Data from the municipal register reveals not only more residents, but a faster pace of increase than in previous years.
According to the Department of Statistics, the population grew by 3.7% compared with 2024, adding 3,245 new residents in a single year. For a municipality of this size, that is more than a gentle nudge upwards.
Orihuela Costa leads the way
The main engine of this growth was Orihuela Costa, which recorded a striking 7.7% increase, making it the fastest growing area in the municipality. Several outlying districts also saw notable rises of over 5%, including Barbarroja, Corrientes Bajas, Corrientes Medias, Los Huertos, Media Legua, Molino de la Ciudad, and Torremendo.
While population numbers remain highest in Orihuela city and Orihuela Costa, the urban centre itself recorded one of the smallest percentage increases, at 1.1%, bringing its population to 33,260. Orihuela Costa now stands at 30,171 residents.
Together, these two areas account for around 71% of the total population, firmly maintaining their position as the municipality’s main residential hubs.
Outlying districts: Mixed results
Among the districts, La Murada remains the most populated, with 3,382 residents after a growth of 1.6%. It is followed by La Aparecida, which reached 2,298 inhabitants, growing by 2.9% during the year.
Only one area went against the general trend. Camino Viejo de Callosa was the sole district to register a population decline in 2025, quietly bucking the local boom.
Orihuela’s population: A multicultural picture
The figures also highlight Orihuela’s increasingly international character. In Orihuela Costa, the largest group continues to be British residents, followed by Spanish and Ukrainian nationals. In Orihuela city, after Spaniards, the most represented communities are Moroccan and Colombian.
Overall, Spanish nationals remain the majority, accounting for 60.4% of the population. However, Torremendo stands out as an exception. There, the British population makes up 41%, compared to 31% Spanish, giving the village a distinctly international flavour.
