Torrevieja Faces Record Pressure on Schools While Other Towns Are Losing Students
- 1 hour ago
- 3 min read
Torrevieja is entering the 2026/2027 school admission period under record pressure on its educational system. Local authorities have officially acknowledged that this year’s admissions campaign is experiencing historic demand and growing strain on schools.
The reason is simple: the city continues to grow rapidly. While Torrevieja had around 106,000 residents at the beginning of 2025, by January 2026 the population had already exceeded 110,500 inhabitants — an increase of more than 4,100 people in just one year.
For schools, this means one thing: the number of students continues to rise faster than educational infrastructure can expand.
Today, Torrevieja is one of the fastest-growing municipalities not only in Vega Baja, but in the entire Alicante province. The city continues to attract:
• Spanish families;
• residents from Madrid and northern Spain;
• foreign citizens;
• expatriate families;
• Ukrainian and Eastern European newcomers.
As a result, every new school admission process creates anxiety for many parents:
• whether there will be enough places;
• whether children will enter their preferred school;
• or whether they may once again study in temporary modular classrooms.
One of the most discussed examples is Public School Number 16, where around €2.2 million has been allocated for temporary modular facilities known in Spain as “barracones”.
These prefabricated classrooms have become a long-standing symbol of insufficient educational infrastructure in the Valencian Community.
The paradox is clear: Torrevieja continues building housing and attracting residents faster than permanent schools can be constructed.
However, this trend is not affecting the province equally.
While coastal municipalities in southern Alicante continue seeing strong growth in student numbers, several inland towns have been experiencing declining school enrollment for years.
Growth in student population is especially noticeable in:
• Torrevieja;
• Orihuela Costa;
• Pilar de la Horadada;
• Santa Pola;
• Guardamar del Segura;
• San Miguel de Salinas;
• Rojales;
• Benijófar;
• Alicante;
• and parts of Elche.
These areas continue to grow due to migration, residential developments, real estate activity, and a steady influx of foreign residents.
Meanwhile, inland municipalities such as:
• Alcoy;
• Villena;
• Novelda;
• Sax;
• Monóvar;
• and several towns in Alto Vinalopó;
have been experiencing falling birth rates, aging populations, and decreasing numbers of school-age children.
In these areas, the concern is no longer overcrowding, but the possible reduction of school classes and educational lines.
As a result, Alicante province is increasingly divided into two very different demographic realities.
On the coast:
• population growth;
• expanding urbanizations;
• overcrowded schools;
• lack of places.
In inland areas:
• aging populations;
• fewer births;
• half-empty classrooms.
Torrevieja has become one of the clearest examples of this new demographic transformation.
The school admission process is no longer just an administrative procedure. It also reveals:
• where families want to live;
• which cities continue to grow;
• and which areas are gradually losing younger generations.
If current trends continue, educational infrastructure may become one of Torrevieja’s biggest challenges in the coming years.
Because the city is growing faster than its schools.
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The Torreviejactual.com business and services directory includes a large dedicated section focused on education in Torrevieja and the Vega Baja region.
There you can find:
• schools and colleges;
• nurseries;
• language academies;
• courses;
• vocational education;
• educational services for children and adults.
Education section:
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