The Expanding Ceuta Population Living Abroad
The population of Ceutí citizens residing outside Spanish borders has shown a significant upward trend, as revealed by the latest data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE). According to their report on the Register of Spaniards Residing Abroad (PERE), the total number of Ceutí individuals who have established their homes in other countries has now reached 4,632. This phenomenon is not uniform; rather, it is distributed unevenly across all five continents, with a notable concentration in Europe and neighboring Morocco. The European continent remains the predominant destination for those born in Ceuta, who seek to further their professional and personal lives.
Currently, over 2,635 Ceutí residents live in European countries outside of Spain, accounting for more than half of the total diaspora, specifically 56.8%. The primary destinations include France (932), Belgium (553), Germany (371), the Netherlands (272), and the United Kingdom (279). These nations have traditionally offered robust labor markets, attracting mostly qualified and young professionals looking to broaden their horizons after completing higher education. Furthermore, the report indicates that there are 94 Ceutí citizens living in Switzerland and 40 in Sweden.
Demographic Insights and Trends Among Ceutí Expatriates
One significant piece of information from the official statistics pertains to geographical proximity and cross-border relationships. The INE report reveals that Morocco is the foreign country with the highest number of residents born in Ceuta, totaling 1,074 individuals currently living across the border. This statistic largely reflects the geographical, social, and familial realities of the population. Notably, among the Ceutí residents in Morocco, 46%, or 494 individuals, are minors under the age of 17, as detailed in the report accessed by this news outlet. Additionally, the number of individuals registered in Ceuta who now reside in Morocco has steadily increased, rising from 900 five years ago to the current figure of 1,074.
When examining the demographic composition by gender, the figures exhibit a balance, indicating that Ceutí emigration impacts men and women equally. Of the total registered abroad, 51.2% are women and 48.8% are men. This parity remains consistent across most European and American destinations, contrasting with the migration patterns of decades past, where men typically led the way. Presently, Ceutí women slightly outnumber men in residency statistics for countries such as France and Belgium, where there is a strong presence of professionals in sectors like healthcare, education, and international services. Moreover, both countries show a demand for university talent from various nations, including Spain.
The age distribution is perhaps the most telling indicator of the current life stage of this diaspora. A significant 68% of Ceutí individuals living abroad fall within the productive age range of 16 to 64 years, suggesting that the primary motivation for crossing borders is job-seeking and improving living conditions. Conversely, the population aged 65 and older represents approximately 20% of the total, consisting of both long-term emigrants who have chosen to retire abroad and citizens maintaining dual residency for family reasons. The remaining 12% of the register consists of individuals under 16, whose registration as Ceutí nationals often reflects family circumstances.
Beyond the Europe-Africa axis, the report also highlights more distant destinations. In the Americas, 627 Ceutí individuals reside, with Argentina and Venezuela having the most historical presence. However, recent years have seen an uptick in registrations in the United States and Mexico, linked to technical and academic profiles. Meanwhile, Asia is home to about 261 Ceutí nationals, with a particularly noteworthy community in Israel, numbering nearly 208 individuals, reflecting the mobility of the Ceutí Jewish community. Oceania, with just around thirty residents, remains the most exotic and least populated destination for Ceutí expatriates.
Overall, the report underscores a clear trend: the number of citizens registered in Ceuta who choose to settle abroad continues to rise annually. In fact, this increase has been recorded at 14.27% over the past five years, with 3,971 Ceutí individuals living outside the country in 2022, a figure that has now grown by 661 to the current total of 4,632. Nationally, the number of Spanish nationals residing abroad reached 3,202,002 as of January 1, 2026, according to PERE, marking a 5.1% increase (156,036 people) compared to data from January 1, 2025. By continent, 60% of registered individuals established their residence in the Americas, 36.4% in Europe, and 3.6% in the rest of the world. The most significant increases in registrations during 2025 occurred in the Americas (115,965 more) and Europe (32,791). In relative terms, the largest growth rates were seen in Asia (9.2%) and Africa (6.5%). The foreign countries with the highest populations of Spanish nationals as of January 1, 2026, include Argentina (543,971), France (329,548), and the United States (236,394).
The Register of Spaniards Residing Abroad encompasses the registrations of individuals holding Spanish nationality who live habitually outside Spain, regardless of whether it is their only nationality. The PERE is compiled using existing data from the Registration of Enrollment in each Consular Office or Consular Section of Diplomatic Missions. As the article indicates, these are Ceutí individuals living abroad who are registered with Spanish consulates and therefore are no longer registered in Ceuta, meaning they no longer reside in Spain. Many of them have children studying in schools affiliated with the consulates, particularly in Morocco.
As reported by elfarodeceuta.es.
