Unemployment in Catalonia increased by 7,942 people in August, bringing the total number of jobless to 327,365. This 2.49% rise was the highest among all Spanish regions, outpacing increases in Madrid and the Basque Country.
The services sector drove the uptick, accounting for 7,097 of the newly unemployed. Smaller rises were seen in industry and construction, while agriculture and first-time job seekers saw slight declines.
Despite the monthly increase, unemployment in Catalonia remains lower than a year ago, with 8,625 fewer people out of work compared to August 2024. Women continue to be disproportionately affected, making up 58.47% of all unemployed.
Contract signings also fell sharply, dropping over 40% from July to 160,044. Temporary contracts still dominate, representing 60.78% of all new agreements.
The figures highlight ongoing labor market volatility in one of Spain’s key economic regions, even as year-on-year comparisons show some improvement.
Source: Europa Press
