What kinds of people live in Gibraltar?

As is the case with any other part of the world, Gibraltar is all about its people – and there were just short of 30,000 of them, as of 2011 estimates. So, what is it that distinguishes those living in the territory that you should be aware of before you move to Gibraltar with the help of Indigo (http://www.indigo.gi)? Well, as seasoned movers ourselves and with plenty of experience of the territory, we can certainly confirm that you will receive a warm welcome.

Analysis of Gibraltar’s demographics makes for interesting reading. For more than three hundred years since the exit of almost all of the Spanish population in 1704, the Rock has seen many economic migrants from Europe and beyond. The origins of the names on the electoral roll suggest that it is Britons and the Spanish (the latter largely Andalusians, although there are also some Minorcans) that are the main ethnic groups, followed by the likes of the Genoese and other Italians, Maltese, Portuguese and Jews. Those moving to Gibraltar may encounter other groups – such as Moroccans, French and Chinese – in much smaller numbers.

There are various historical, cultural and social links that explain the presence of such groups in modern-day Gibraltar. Gibraltarians may be British citizens, but they also have a proud identity of their own. Nonetheless, after “Gibraltarian”, it was “other British” that made up the second largest proportion of the population by nationality as of 2001. Certainly, people currently considering moving to Gibraltar from the UK may well swell such numbers. Meanwhile, English and Spanish are the main languages of the territory, with most Gibraltarians conversing in Llanito, an Andalusian Spanish based creole consisting of a mix of Andalusian Spanish and British English, in addition to various other languages.

One other factor by which the kind of people living in Gibraltar may be determined is the religion that they follow. The main religion in the territory is Christianity, with the Roman Catholic Church accounting for the majority of Gibraltarians. There are, however, other Christian denominations, including the Church of England, the Church of Scotland and the Gibraltar Methodist Church, as well as a Plymouth Brethren congregation and a series of Pentecostal and independent churches largely influenced by the House Church and Charismatic movements. Jews, Moroccan Muslims and Hindu Indians are also among those represented in Gibraltar.

And of course, the economy of Gibraltar also does much to dictate the kinds of people that settle there. Whereas the local economy was once dominated by the British military, today, it is much more diverse, with the financial sectors, shipping, tourism and Internet gaming now holding sway. The opportunities are therefore much greater these days for those considering a corporate relocation to Gibraltar. Don’t forget, too, certain other prominent locals – the semi-wild Barbary Macaques!

Indigo (http://www.indigo.gi) can help you to complete your move to Gibraltar with the minimum of fuss, with our concierge services helping you to adjust to the local area and its people.

Editor’s Note: Indigo (http://www.indigo.gi) are represented by the search engine advertising and digital marketing specialists Jumping Spider Media. Email: info@jumpingspidermedia.co.uk or call: +44 (0)20 3070 1959 / +34 952 783 637.