Economic Sectors
Construction
The construction industry is on the upThe construction sector in Elche has not been indifferent to the significant growth which has been experienced throughout Spain. Such a high number of changes in the urban image of Elche hasn’t been experienced since the 1970’s. Over the last fifteen years new neighbourhoods have been built, such as the expansion of Altabix, as well as a large number of housing estates. At the same time infrastructures have been developed within the city as well as in the countryside and on the coast with the aim of improving the quality of services offered to citizens.
The construction sector represents one of the main activities of Elche’s economyDuring the period 2001-2005 licences were granted for the construction of 14,137 homes, 60% more than in the previous 5 year period. The maximum figure was obtained in 2003 with 3,580 homes, of which 60% were buildings within the city itself.
The great shifts in the property market have evidently not only served to cover the demands of demographic growth and the high number of people who have come to Elche from other regions and from abroad in search of work, but also in changes of abode, economic investment and the acquisition of a second home. According to the 2001 census, 18.6% of Elche’s households have a second home.
The construction sector employs 9.000 peopleAccording to the Ministry for Employment (December 2005), the construction sector employs 9,000 people, meaning an increase of 12.6% from the previous year. This places the sector in third place, only being beaten by the footwear industry and commerce. These figures are all the more relevant when we consider the growth of jobs in estate agencies, an increase of 14.4% between 2004 and 2005.
