The official figures for the total population of Salobreña has hardly fluctuated between 2013 and 2014 – before it was a different story.

When the building boom burst, it was this employment sector that took the brunt and contributed to the population drop in the middle of the crisis.

Yet, figures for the 1st of January 2015 show the town’s population stands at 12,463, which corresponds to 6,205 males and 6,257 women – and Paco, who is undecided. That’s only two fewer people than the same period last year.

The figure for January 2010, however, was 12,800. This kind of drop was felt all along the Costa Tropical in every municipality.

So, what is the nationality breakdown? Well, the wonderful thing about the Costa Tropical, it’s still very much Spanish, unlike other Andalusia coastal areas.

The Spanish population of Salobreña is 11,217, which is almost 90%, topped up with 1,337 foreigners.

The largest foreign population belongs to the Romanians with 294 citizens but with the British only two citizens behind with 292 – Hmmm, Dave and I will have to pop over for the day to equal it out for a couple of hours at least!

In third place the Germans muster 149 followed by the Moroccans with 117 citizens.

Now the rest of you, the French, Belgians, Italians, Russians, Danes and Dutch, are too thin on the ground for the Salobreña Town Hall to give the exact figures, so next Saturday night, no TV, and an early night and get down to business for the glory of your dismal, local population count!

(News: Salobrena, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)