Murcia economy to keep growing faster than the national average

The Region of Murcia is forecast to create around 12,000 jobs a year for the next three years, with construction and services leading the way

The Region of Murcia is expected to keep growing faster than the national average over the next three years, with around 36,000 new jobs forecast by the end of 2028. However, economic growth is likely to slow as rising energy costs and international tensions put pressure on businesses and households.

The latest forecasts from the Hispalink research team at the University of Murcia (UMU) and the Competitiveness Chair, run by the university and the College of Economists, predict average annual growth of 2.4% for the regional economy between 2026 and 2028. That compares with 2.1% nationally.

Construction and services to drive job creation

The outlook for 2026 is particularly encouraging, with Murcia's gross domestic product (GDP) expected to grow by 3%, ahead of the 2.7% forecast for Spain. However, this would still represent a slowdown from the 3.8% growth provisionally recorded in the region in 2025.

Growth is then expected to ease to 2.3% in 2027 and 1.9% in 2028. Despite the slowdown, the region is forecast to continue performing better than the national economy.

Employment should also continue to rise, with the researchers predicting average annual growth of 1.8% through to 2028, slightly above Spain's expected 1.6%. If these forecasts prove accurate, around 12,000 jobs could be created each year.

Construction is expected to lead the way, with employment in the sector forecast to increase by an average of 3% annually. Services should also make a strong contribution, with jobs in the sector predicted to grow by 1.8% a year.

Recent figures already point to a healthy jobs market. Employment in Murcia increased by 6.3% during the first half of 2026, according to Spain's Labour Force Survey. Construction recorded an especially strong rise of 20.9%, while industry grew by 7.6% and services by 5.4%. Agriculture also saw a smaller increase of 2.4%.

The unemployment rate stood at 10.8% in the second quarter, following a 7.1% reduction in the number of unemployed people during the first six months of the year.

Rising energy costs could put the brakes on growth

The figures point to continued growth in Murcia, although the economy has lost some of the momentum it had in 2025. New car registrations rose by 14.7% between January and August, while retail sales increased by 2.9%. Investment has shown more encouraging signs, with industrial vehicle registrations up by 11.6% over the same period.

However, the researchers warn that the outlook depends partly on events beyond Spain's borders. Higher energy prices linked to the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz, the war in the Middle East and trade tensions between the United States, the European Union and China could all affect future growth.
If energy costs remain high, businesses may face higher bills while households have less money available to spend. For Murcia, the challenge will be to maintain its economic advantage as growth gradually loses momentum.

Read also: Spain's Inflation Hits 4.9% As Fuel Prices Keep Rising

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