Catalonia job losses reached 47,940 in January 2026. This represents the region’s worst start-of-year employment decline since 2013. The drop, traditionally linked to the end of the Christmas season, caused a 1.24% decrease in Social Security affiliation compared to December.
According to data from the Ministry of Social Security, this is the most significant January contraction since the labour market was recovering from the Great Recession. Meanwhile, the decline was heavily concentrated in the Barcelona area, which accounted for 70% of the lost affiliations.
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Catalonia job losses amid record employment totals
Despite the monthly setback, the broader picture shows resilience. Therefore, the total number of workers in Catalonia stands at 3.82 million. This is the highest figure ever recorded for a January. In addition, it represents an increase of 73,551 affiliates compared to the start of 2025.
Paco Ramos, the Secretary of Labour for the Generalitat, described the figures as a structural seasonal correction. “When the Christmas holidays and shopping end, this has a typical repercussion for the month of January,” Ramos stated during his assessment.
National context and unemployment figures
The trend in Catalonia mirrored the situation across Spain. The nation also saw its worst January for job destruction since 2012. Nationwide, the system lost 270,782 affiliates (down 1.24%). However, total employment remains at a historic high of 21.53 million.
Registered unemployment in Catalonia rose by 1,978 people (+0.61%). This brings the total number of unemployed residents to 325,214. While this increase is slightly higher than last January, the overall unemployment total is the lowest for this month since 2008. This coincides with the period when Spain’s unemployment rate recently fell below 10%.
- Services sector: Accounted for the rise in unemployment (+2,637 people), driven by the end of retail campaigns.
- Construction and Industry: Saw unemployment fall by 338 and 151 people respectively.
- Demographics: The rise in unemployment affected women (+1,500) more acutely than men (+478).
Nationally, unemployment rose by 30,392 people. The government has characterised this figure as “moderate”. Joaquín Pérez Rey, Secretary of State for Labour, highlighted that the national total of roughly 2.44 million unemployed is the best figure for January in 18 years.
Regularisation of migrants
During the press briefing, Ramos also addressed the Spanish government’s recent announcement regarding the regularisation of half a million migrants. The Generalitat does not yet have estimates on how many people in Catalonia will gain work permits through this measure. However, Ramos welcomed the move.
“It is good for the people who are now working irregularly,” he noted. He added that coordination with the State is underway to ensure the process runs smoothly without overwhelming employment services.
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