Latest News Stream - Unemployment Change

Spain's registered unemployment rose by 23,587 from the previous month in September 2026, more than market expectations of a 17,600 increase. Total jobless stood at 2.379 million, marking the lowest September total since 2007. The increase was driven by higher unemployment in services (+6,707), agriculture (+601), and among first-time job seekers (+17,966), largely due to the ongoing extraordinary regularization process, which is allowing previously undocumented workers already living in Spain to register with public employment services for the first time. Separate Social Security data showed net employment increased by 108,832 in September, bringing total formal employment to 22.48 million.

Spain's registered unemployment climbed by 44,419 from the prior month to 2.356 million in August 2026, far exceeding expectations for a 15,400 increase, yet the figure remains the lowest recorded for August since 2007. The increase was broad-based across most sectors, led by services (+28,563), followed by construction (+4,669), industry (+3,731), and people with no previous employment (+8,368). Agriculture was the only sector to record a decline, with unemployment falling by 912 people. Youth unemployment among those under 25 also increased by 8,168 from the previous month, but remained below 170,000, specifically at 167,730. By region, Catalonia recorded the largest rise in unemployment (+14,594), followed by Madrid (+6,881) and the Valencian Community (+5,847). All other regions also saw increases, apart from Ceuta (-148). Despite the monthly rise, registered unemployment was down by 70,593 people compared with August 2025.

Spain's registered unemployment increased by 19,517 from the previous month to 2.311 million in July 2026, marking the lowest July total since 2007. Market expectations were pointing to a 20,300-decline. The monthly rise was unusual, reflecting the fact that July has become less affected by seasonal patterns. Between 2010 and 2019, registered unemployment typically declined by an average of 45,467 in July, while since the labor market reform the average July decrease has narrowed to just 4,981. The increase was driven by higher unemployment in services (+8,211), construction (+2,433), and among first-time job seekers (+8,268), largely due to the ongoing extraordinary regularization process, which is allowing previously undocumented workers already living in Spain to register with public employment services for the first time. Separate Social Security data showed net employment increased by 79,567 in July, bringing total formal employment to 22.29 million.

Spain’s registered unemployment fell by 28.739 thousand from the previous month to 2.291 million in June 2026, marking the first time the total has dropped below the 2.3 million threshold since January 2008. Still, the decline was softer than the market expectations of a 40.8 thousand drop. Notably, female unemployment decreased by 15.801 thousand, pushing the total number of jobless women below 1.4 million for the first time since August 2008. Youth unemployment dropped 5,155 to a record low of 159,800. Unemployment decreased across services (-28,498), industry (-2,829), construction (-1,326), and agriculture (-384), while those without prior employment increased by 4,298. Separately, data from the Social Security Ministry showed Spain added 92,531 net jobs in June, bringing total employment to 22.21 million. Regionally, unemployment fell across 11 autonomous communities, with Andalusia (-11,597), Galicia (-3,587) and Castilla y León (-2,895) posting the largest declines.

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain fell by 36.323 thousand from the previous month to 2.321 million in May 2026, compared with market expectations of a 56.8 thousand decline. Unemployment decreased across all sectors, led by services with 29,829 fewer unemployed, followed by industry (-2,665), construction (-2,304) and agriculture (-1,628), while those without prior employment increased by only 98. Youth unemployment saw a drop of 4,738, reaching 164,955. Regionally, unemployment fell across all autonomous communities, with Andalusia (-9,125), Catalonia (-6,900) and Madrid (-3,834) posting the largest declines.

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain fell by 22.934 thousand from the previous month to 2.420 million in March 2026, compared with market expectations of a 10.3 thousand increase. Unemployment decreased across services (-18,852), construction (-5,846) and industry (-1,482). On the other hand, unemployment rose in and agriculture (+365). Youth unemployment fell by 431 to 188,977, the lowest figure ever recorded in March. The largest decreases in unemployment were registered in Andalusia (-8,836), Catalonia (-3,777) and Valencian Community (-2,467).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain fell by 16.291 thousand from the previous month to 2.409 million in December 2025, missing market expectations of a 5.7 thousand increase. Unemployment decreased across services (-14,287) and agriculture (-1,531). On the other hand, unemployment rose in industry (1,684), and construction (5,568). Youth unemployment also fell by 11,470, bringing the total below 176,852, the lowest figure ever recorded. The largest declines in unemployment were registered in Andalusia (-12,271), the Valencian Community (-2.173), and Madrid (-1,504 ). Meanwhile, a separate report showed that Spain added 33,067 net formal jobs in December, bringing total registered employment to 21.87 million.

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain fell by 18.8 thousand from the previous month to 2.424 million in November 2025, following a 22.1-thousand increase in October and beating expectations of a 12.4 thousand decline. This marks the biggest drop in unemployment in five months and the lowest level for a November since 2007. Unemployment decreased across all activity sectors, including services (-13,013), industry (-1,552), agriculture (-1,332), and construction (-881). Youth unemployment also fell by 5,476, bringing the total below 190,000, the lowest figure ever recorded for a November. The largest declines in unemployment were registered in Andalusia (-6,934), Madrid (-3,903), and Catalonia (-3,119). Meanwhile, a separate report showed that Spain added 44,734 net formal jobs in November, bringing total registered employment to 21.8 million.

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain decreased by 4,846 people from a month earlier to 2.422 million in September 2025, the lowest since 2007. Analysts had expected an increase of 15,400 people. Unemployment fell across all sectors, with construction seeing the largest decrease (-4,670; -2.6%), followed by services (-3,067; -0.2%), industry (-1,422; -0.8%), and agriculture (-1,166; -1.5%). Meanwhile, the number of previously unemployed also rose by 5,479 (2.5%). Unemployment among young people under 25 rose by 16,085 (9.6%), bringing the total to 183,716— still the lowest figure ever recorded for this group in September. The total number of unemployed people declined across Catalonia (-5,293), Canarias (-4,842) and the Valencian Community (-2,739), bur rose in Andalusia (7,116), Galicia (3,394) and the Principality of Asturias (1,219).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain climbed by 21,905 people in August 2025, a 0.9% rise from July that exceeded the forecast of 14,200. Still, it marked the lowest August figure since 2007. The services sector led the increase in unemployment, with 21,692 additional jobless (+1.2%), following the end of many summer jobs. Unemployment typically drops at the start of summer with seasonal tourism jobs but rises again as the tourist season winds down and temporary contracts expire. Industry (+2,775, +1.5%) and construction (+2,745, +1.5%) also saw rises in unemployment, whereas first-time job seekers (-3,458, -1.5%) and the agriculture sector (-1,849, -2.3%) experienced declines. Unemployment rose in 12 autonomous communities and fell in five, with the most significant increases in Catalonia (+7,942), Madrid (+4,214), and the Basque Country (+4,178).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain declined by 1,357, or 0.1%, from a month earlier to 2.4 million in July 2025—the lowest level since June 2008. Analysts had expected a reduction of 21,300 people. Compared to June, unemployment fell in the agricultural sector by 614 people (-0.8%). Conversely, unemployment increased in construction (+138; +0.1%), industry (+416; +0.2%), and services (+2,018; +0.1%). Meanwhile, the number of people previously unemployed also declined by 3,315 (-1.5%). Unemployment among young people under 25 fell by 2,561 (-1.5%) in July compared to the previous month, bringing the total to 164,146—the lowest figure ever recorded for this group. The total number of unemployed people declined across six regions, with the largest decreases recorded in Andalusia (-8,035), Castilla-La Mancha (-1,771), and the Principality of Asturias (-1,296).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain declined by 48,920, or 2%, over a month to 2.406 million in June 2025, the lowest since June 2008. Analysts had expected a reduction of 69,500 people. Unemployment fell across all sectors in June, with services seeing the largest decrease (-38,253; -2.2%), followed by industry (-4,589; -2.4%), construction (-3,029; -1.7%), and agriculture (-218; -0.3%). The number of previously unemployed also declined by 2,831 (-1.2%). Meanwhile, unemployment among young people under 25 fell by 4,296 people (-2.5%) in June compared to the previous month, bringing the total to 166,707, the lowest figure ever recorded for this group. The total number of unemployed people has declined across all autonomous communities, with the largest decreases recorded in Andalusia (-6,974), the Community of Madrid (-6,571), and Castilla y León (-4,840).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain declined by 57,835, or 2.3%, over a month to 2.455 million in May 2025, falling below the 2.5 million mark for the first time since July 2008. Analysts had expected a reduction of 68,500 people. Unemployment fell across all sectors in May, with services seeing the largest decrease (-42,930; -2.4%), followed by construction (-5,562; -3%), industry (-4,574; -2.4%), and agriculture (-2,259; -2.8%). The number of previously unemployed also declined by 2,510 (-1.1%). Meanwhile, unemployment among young people under 25 fell by 6,426 people (-3.6%) in May compared to the previous month, bringing the total to 171,003, the lowest figure ever recorded for this group. The total number of unemployed people has declined across all autonomous communities, with the largest decreases recorded in Andalusia (-13,239), the Community of Madrid (-7,923), and Catalonia (-6,198).

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain decreased by 67,420 to 2.513 million in April 2025, the lowest figure since July 2008, contrary to market forecasts of a 6,500 increase. Compared to the prior month, registered unemployment declined across all economic sectors, with the largest reductions observed in Services (-3,817; -2%), Construction (-3,323; -3.9%), and Industry (-2,920; -1.5%). Additionally, unemployment among individuals with no previous work experience fell significantly, by 7,700 (-3.2%). The number of unemployed young people under 25 dropped by 20,095 in April, reflecting a 10.2% decrease from the prior month. This is the largest decline for April since 2001, occurring at a rate five times faster than the reduction among other age groups..Unemployment fell across all autonomous communities, led by Andalusia, Catalonia, and the Valencian Community. Year-on-year, there were 153,782 fewer unemployed people, 5.77% less than in April 2024.

The number of people registering as jobless in Spain decreased by 13.311K to 2.580 million in March 2025, following a 6K decline in February and compared to forecasts of a 2.5K fall. Unemployment fell in services (-14.461K people), industry (-1.498K), construction (-0.909K) and agriculture (-0.093K). Among regions, the most significant falls occurred in the Valencian Community (-4.905K people), Catalonia (-2.556K) and Galicia (-1.822K). Compared to March 2024, the number of registered jobseekers decreased by 146.9K. March has yet to reflect the positive impact of Easter hiring and, instead, has been affected by adverse weather conditions. Meanwhile, Spain gained 23,079 net formal jobs to 21.5 million.