Measuring the extensive margin of a hidden market: evidence from Spain

R. Ciacci, A. Corvasce

Regional Studies, Regional Science Vol. 13, nº. 1, pp. 2633072

Summary:

This article introduces a longitudinal, venue-level dataset documenting the spatial and temporal evolution of a specific segment of an informal market in Spain between 2011 and 2023. Using publicly available Google data, we construct a panel of establishments classified within nightlife and adult entertainment categories, commonly referred to in Spanish as clubes de alterne. The primary contribution is methodological: we propose a transparent and replicable framework to track the commercial infrastructure of partially regulated markets that are opaque to standard measurement. The dataset captures the extensive margin of supply the presence and persistence of physical venues and should be interpreted as a conservative, observable lower bound. We document pronounced spatial concentration and heterogeneity across provinces, with establishments clustering in major urban and coastal tourist areas. This dataset provides a new empirical tool to study the interaction between informal markets, regulation and local economic dynamics.

Spanish layman's summary:

Este estudio presenta el primer panel de datos longitudinal sobre un mercado informal en España (2011-2023) usando información pública de Google. Propone una metodología replicable para medir la huella comercial de un mercado opaco a las estadísticas oficiales, documentando su concentración espacial en zonas urbanas y turísticas.

English layman's summary:

This study presents the first longitudinal panel dataset on a hidden market in Spain (2011-2023) using public Google data. It proposes a replicable methodology to measure the commercial footprint of a market opaque to official statistics, documenting its spatial concentration in urban and tourist areas.

Keywords: Informal markets; regulatory gap; sex work

JCR-JIF Impact Factor and WoS quartile: 2,400 - Q1 (2024)

DOI reference: https://doi.org/10.1080/21681376.2026.2633072

Published on paper: 2026.

Published on-line: March 2026.

Citation:
R. Ciacci, A. Corvasce, "Measuring the extensive margin of a hidden market: evidence from Spain", Regional Studies, Regional Science, Vol. 13, nº. 1, pp. 2633072, 2026. [Online: March 2026] doi: 10.1080/21681376.2026.2633072