The councillor for Economy and Finance, Mario Bravo (PP), accompanied by the regional delegate for Employment, Business and Self-Employment of the Junta de Andalucía in Málaga, Carmen Sánchez Sierra, and the delegate for Industry, Antonio García, visited the headquarters of the Mijas Craft Association on Thursday 26th. According to the Town Hall, the visit aimed to highlight the “solid performance” of employment and the economy in the province of Málaga at the close of 2025, a period that yielded “historic” Social Security enrolment figures and consolidated the province as one of the “most dynamic economic drivers in Andalusia”.

In this regard, the councillor for Finance pointed out that Mijas recorded the third-highest growth in the province for new companies and the self-employed, as well as the fourth-highest growth in Social Security registrations and the eighth-largest drop in unemployment. “This shows that Mijas creates jobs, that Mijas is a municipality where the economy is thriving, progressing, and generating wealth. Currently, unemployment in Mijas is at its lowest level in recent history, at 5,524 people. At the close of 2025, we had almost 27,000 Social Security contributors and 9,000 self-employed people, alongside  2,768 new companies. Notably, over the last seven years, unemployment in Mijas has fallen by 20%”, he explained.

He also stressed that in Mijas “we generate opportunities for everyone”, which is why the municipality has just approved the largest budget in its history.

“We are able to generate more income through increased economic activity. This activity is widespread; we are not just referring to tourism, but also to the arts and crafts,such as those of these artisans, who are an example of hard work, effort, and dedication”, the councillor added.

 

Sustained growth

For her part, the Employment Delegate stated that the indicators confirm sustained growth in employment, placing Málaga among the provinces with the highest job creation in the country, exceeding both the Andalusian and national averages. This progress reflects “the resilience of Málaga’s productive sector and its ability to attract the active population”, she argued.

Similarly, she stated that this positive performance is supported by the strength of traditional sectors, such as tourism and services, which are increasingly oriented towards experiential tourism, gastronomy and innovative accommodation, as well as the rise of emerging activities diversifying the provincial economic base, including tech start-ups, the green economy linked to renewable energies and advanced logistics.

During her speech, Sánchez Sierra highlighted Mijas as an example of a municipality that is succeeding in terms of employment and economic activity, emphasising its entrepreneurial dynamism and its ability to generate opportunities in a challenging economic context.

Over the last seven years, the delegate noted, Mijas has recorded a “very positive” trend in indicators such as business creation, the number of self-employed workers, and Social Security enrolment, consolidating its position as one of the most active municipalities for job creation on the Costa del Sol.

 

Measures

Sánchez Sierra emphasised that in recent years, the ‘Junta’ has “implemented public policies aimed at facilitating job creation, supporting entrepreneurship and providing stability to the business sector, especially in strategic sectors for the region”.

Commitment to craftsmanship

Sánchez Sierra wished to focus specifically on craftsmanship, a sector closely linked to the identity of Mijas and its touristic and economic appeal. “Supporting craftsmanship means supporting employment rooted in the area, creative talent, and activities that cannot be outsourced”, she said.

Cooperation

The regional delegate for Industry, Antonio García, announced that “protected geographical indications” are being promoted for specific handcrafted products. One product has been selected per province; in the case of Málaga, Mijas craftsmanship has been chosen. “They will be able to showcase what is produced in Mijas. We are focusing on all those jobs that are being lost, and we are going to try and help them”, he summarised.

 

The president of the Mijas Craft Association, Sonia Lekuona, expressed the concern within the craft sector regarding the lack of generational renewal. Similarly, Lekuona stated that the vast majority of these trades “are not regulated in Andalusia, so we are fighting for regulation so that it may also serve as an incentive for anyone wishing to pursue further studies or vocational training in the world of crafts”.

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