44,500 more jobless: Spain unemployment climbs in August

Spain’s unemployment register grew by 44,500 people in August, while the average number registered with Social Security fell by 162,840. At a briefing in Madrid on 2 September, the government said the registered total stood at about 2.035 million. That is almost 71,000 lower than a year earlier.

The government pointed to almost 680,000 more Social Security members over the past 12 months, despite the August drop. Joaquín Pérez Rey, Secretary of State for Labour, said female unemployment had reached its lowest level since 2008.

August brings a seasonal setback

Borja Suárez, Secretary of State for Social Security, said August is a month strongly shaped by seasonal effects. He said the fall of 162,840 members was noticeably smaller than last year’s decline, which came close to 200,000.

Once normal seasonal swings were stripped out, Social Security membership rose by 83,844 in August, Suárez said. That put the figure at its highest level in the series and marked 67 consecutive months of seasonally adjusted growth.

Ministers point to more permanent work

The two officials also highlighted what they described as improving job quality. Pérez Rey pointed to the share of permanent contracts and a reduction in temporary employment.

Suárez said employment had performed particularly well among under-35s and over-55s. The number of self-employed people registered with Social Security rose by more than 63,000 over the year.

Topics: Jobs & labour · Economy

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com