Economic impact of a medium-sized Mediterranean Port system: an input-output analysis of the Port of ALMERÍA

Ports play a central role in regional economic systems, facilitating trade, logistics, and industrial activity. Yet, empirical evidence on the economic impact of medium-sized ports remains relatively scarce. This paper estimates the economic impact of a medium-sized Mediterranean port system located in a peripheral region of Southern Europe using an Input–Output framework. The port authority is considered as one institutional component within the broader port of Almería system, which also includes private firms, logistics operators, transport services, and other port-dependent activities. Based on firm-level data and the regional Input–Output Table of Andalusia (2021), the analysis distinguishes between a core port sector, directly related to port operations, and an extended port-related sector, comprising firms economically dependent on port functions. Direct, indirect, and induced effects are estimated in terms of output, value added, and employment, and sectoral multipliers are used to assess intersectoral linkages. The results show that port-related activities generate a substantial economic impact on the regional economy, with total effects significantly exceeding direct contributions due to strong backward linkages with transport, logistics, and industrial services. When expressed as a share of provincial GDP and employment, the port of Almería system represents a strategic component of the local economy, in broader terms highlighting the relevance of medium-sized ports in peripheral regions. From a policy perspective, the findings support the integration of port investments into broader regional development strategies.