NEARLY three times as many Brits live in Spain as Spaniards in the UK, and almost half of them are retired, according to figures from the London-based Office of National Statistics (ONS).
Britain is home to around 116,000 Spaniards, who range from recent arrivals to those who have lived there since the Civil War, whilst on paper, a total of 300,000 Brits live in Spain – although the number may be higher due to many not exercising their duty of registering on the padrón, or municipal census, in their town.
According to the ONS, the majority of Brits in Spain live in coastal provinces, particularly those who are retired.
Pensioners and early retirees make up 48% of the total.
Island locations – in the Balearics and Canaries – tend to attract younger Brits, who are typically aged between 20 and 39.
Of those UK nationals in Spain who are of working age, a total of 59% are employed or self-employed, whilst just 5% are registered on the dole.
Those who have jobs or are self-employed typically work in public administration, education, health, banking and finance, and the hotel and catering trade – the latter making up 22% of jobs held by British citizens living in Spain.
A total of 11% of the working-age British population does not have a job or any other economic activity, although more than half of these are not registered as unemployed and it is likely some of them survive through sporadic cash-in-hand work.
Read more at thinkSPAIN.com