Spain's jobless rolls rise 23,587 as payrolls grow

Spain adds 23,587 people to its jobless register in September, even as Social Security gains an average of 92,327 contributors. In Madrid, employment secretary Joaquín Pérez Rey says migrant regularisation largely explains the rise in registered unemployment, rather than job losses. The Ministry of Labour and Social Economy puts the jobless total at nearly 2.38 million — the lowest September figure since 2007.

Why the jobless register grew

During September, 56,400 people going through regularisation appeared on the jobless register, according to the ministry. Pérez Rey says this can be a bureaucratic step before someone is hired through an employment office. He says 51.9% spend less than a month registered as unemployed.

Almost 18,000 of the increase came from people with no previous employment, he adds.

Social Security gains contributors

The Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration says the September average reached 22,437,553 contributors, up 92,327 on August. It was the biggest increase recorded for a September. Social Security secretary Borja Suárez links faster growth in registrations during 2026 to the extraordinary regularisation.

By 30 September, 421,306 regularised people were registered with Social Security. More than 45% were from Colombia and Venezuela. The labour ministry also says more than 44% of contracts were permanent.

Topics: Migration · Jobs & labour · Politics · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com