Catalonia accumulates 15 consecutive months of annual unemployment drops, despite September’s rise

Barcelona (ACN).- While registered employment figures for Spain and Catalonia increased from August to September this year, provinces throughout Catalonia have been showing positive annual figures, according to figures released on Thursday by the Spanish Minister of Employment and Social Security. In the whole of Spain, unemployment for September stood at 4,447,650, an increase of 19,720 from the previous month; this is the lowest September rise since 2007. In Catalonia , the number of registered unemployed is 575,812 persons, an increase of 4,196 since August. However, an increase at this time of year is expected due to the post-summer end to holiday jobs and seasonal contracts. This is in fact the lowest increase in this month since the crisis began. In annual terms, unemployment in Catalonia continues to decline, with 15 consecutive months of numbers falling, and 45,099 less unemployed this September than last year, representing a 7.26% drop. In annual terms, unemployment has declined for 14 months in the Province of Girona, 15 in Barcelona’s and Tarragona’s, and 16 in Lleida’s.. In addition, in September there were 2,958,705 people registered in Social Security Catalonia, a reduction of 7,789 from august. In Catalonia, the sectors of service with an increase of 4,179 unemployed, and to a lesser extent agriculture with 688 more, are mainly responsible for the rise September unemployment, given the end of summer contracts. However, in industry there was a drop of 523 unemployed, and it has had 19 consecutive months of falling unemployment.

Figures released by the Spanish Ministry of Employment in Spain look promising, in the whole of Spain, total unemployment September stood at 4,447,650, an increase of 19,720 from the previous month, this is the lowest September rise since 2007. Moreover, annual unemployment in Catalonia has declined for 15 consecutive months, with 45,099 less unemployment this September, -7.26%  since last year.  The Spanish Ministry of Employment series, which began in 1996, notes that during the crisis, between 2008 and 2014, September is an anomaly to the annual pattern. This is due to the termination of seasonal contracts in August leading to a rise in unemployment. This rise however, has been steadily decreasing between 2000 and 2007 (with the exception of 2004).  .

Barcelona

In the Catalan capital’s province, unemployment has fallen for over a year, with 15 consecutive months of declining unemployment. In September, the number of unemployed was 431,052, a reduction of 0.30% (1,316 people) from August, and 37,501 less people than the same month last year, a reduction of 8%.

Girona

There were 51,663 people unemployed in the Province of Girona (north-eastern Catalonia) in September, an increase of 2,568 from August but 3,630 people less than last year, a reduction of 6.57%. Unemployment has been falling for 14 consecutive months.

Leida

September unemployment has increased by 1,011 from August in Lleida’s Province (western Catalonia), to reach a total of 27,317 people, +3.84%, but an annual reduction of 677 people (-2.42%), and unemployment has dropped for 16 consecutive months.

Tarragona

The number of listed unemployed in Tarragona’s Province (southern Catalonia) in September was 65,780, +3.03% from August, increasing by 1,933 people, but -4.76% from last year with 3,291 less people. Overall, unemployment has been falling for 15 consecutive months.

15.76% more contracts signed, with a significant rise in permanent contracts

Overall, 225,717 contracts were signed in Catalonia in September, 30,727 more than last year, an increase of 15.76%. Of these 87.16% were temporary (196,742) and only 12.84% (28,975) permanent. Nevertheless this was an increase of 26.46% in permanent contracts, over 14.33% in temporary.

In Catalonia, 61.57% of all unemployed persons are receiving benefits, a total of 351,941. While people registered at the Social Security scheme reached a total September figure of 2,958,705, a reduction of 7,789 since August, but representing 64,791 more people since September last year.