Catalonia leads unemployment reduction in Spain

Barcelona (ACN).- Catalonia was last month again the Spanish Autonomous Community with the most intense monthly and annual decline in registered unemployment, official data released on Thursday show. According to the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Security, by the end of June 2015 there were 20,952 fewer people registered with the Catalan Public Employment Service (SOC) in comparison to May 2015, leaving the total number of registered unemployed individuals at 510,947. This drop is, in absolute terms, the lowest recorded for the month of June in the last 3 years. However, in relative terms, registered unemployment fell by -3.94%, the biggest decline for the month of June in 19 years. Compared to a year ago, the number of jobseekers decreased by 59,267 (-10.39%), thus marking a two-year period of consecutive annual decline in registered unemployment.

Across the whole of Spain (by the end of June), registered unemployment decreased in monthly terms by 2.25%, with 94,727 fewer people on the lists of Public Employment Service offices and the total number of registered unemployed individuals standing at 4,120,304. In comparison to June 2014, registered unemployment declined by 329,397 people, which means a 7.4% annual drop. Spain has now accumulated five consecutive months of monthly drops, with registered unemployment standing at the same rate as August 2011. In addition, last month unemployment fell in all the Autonomous Communities; in detail, Catalonia leads the ranking (with 20,952 fewer jobseekers), followed by Madrid (-14,090) and Castile and León (-8,255).

24^th consecutive month of annual decreases in registered unemployment for Catalonia

By the end of June registered unemployment in Catalonia equalled rates from July 2009, when the number of jobseekers stood at 495,911. In monthly terms, Catalonia has now accumulated 5 consecutive months of declining registered unemployment, while in annual terms unemployment is down for the 24^th consecutive month, which means 2 complete years.

Unemployment drops throughout Catalonia

Registered unemployment fell in all Catalan regionRegion, both in monthly and annual terms. In comparison to May 2015, Girona registered the biggest decline in relative terms with a 6.82% drop, while in annual terms Barcelona leads with a 10.68% reduction in the number of jobseekers. In particular, in the Regionregion of Barcelona – where two thirds of Catalans live – unemployment dropped by 3.35%, where the total figure fell by 13,284 individuals (compared to May) to a total of 383,563 jobseekers. In annual terms, registered unemployment decreased by -10.68% in Barcelona Region, with 45,870 fewer unemployed than in June 2014. This annual fall is the largest recorded in June since 2001, when the Ministry's historical record started. Barcelona has now accumulated 5 consecutive months of declining monthly numbers and 24 consecutive months of annual decreases.

In Girona Region (north-eastern Catalonia, where the Costa Brava is located), by the end of June the number of jobseekers stood at 44,273, a 6.82% monthly decline (3,239 fewer individuals unemployed) and a 10.31% drop in annual terms (5,088 fewer unemployed). Girona has now accumulated 23 consecutive months of annual decreases in registered unemployment and 5 consecutive months of monthly decreases.

The Region of Lleida (western Catalonia) ended June with 24,253 people on the SOC’s lists, a 6.7% decrease in monthly terms (1,742 less people unemployed) and a 7.66% drop in annual terms (2,012 fewer unemployed). Lleida has now accumulated 4 consecutive months of monthly decline and 25 consecutive months of annual decreases.

Finally, the Region of Tarragona (southern Catalonia) had an unemployment reduction of 2,687 individuals, a 4.37% drop compared to May’s figures. By the end of June, there were 58,858 jobseekers in Tarragona, 6,297 less than a year previous, which represents a 9.66% annual reduction of registered unemployment. Tarragona has now accumulated 5 consecutive months of monthly decline and 24 consecutive months of annual decreases.

The service sector registers the biggest drop in unemployment

In Catalonia, unemployment fell across all economic sectors, particularly in services, which was responsible for reducing the number of people registered on the SOC lists by 15,538, mostly due to the beginning of the summer season. The industrial sector also performed well, reducing its unemployment figure by 2,631 and accumulating 2 consecutive months of monthly decline. The construction sector and the agricultural sector reduced their number of jobseekers by 1,661 and 57 people respectively. 

261,682 contracts were signed in June, permanent positions made up 10.16% of the total

The number of contracts signed in Catalonia in June stood at 261,682 units, which means 34,063 contracts more than in June 2014 (+14.96). Of these contracts, 26,593 were permanent (10.16% of the total), while 235,089 were temporary (89.84% of the total). In annual terms, the number of permanent contracts registered a 13.78% increase, while temporary contracts saw a 15.1% rise.

Only 54.98% of registered unemployed people receive some kind of financial help

Only 54.98% of those registered as unemployed (292,435) receive some kind of financial help from the state. In detail, 127,077 (23.9% of the total jobseekers) received a contributory unemployment benefit while 130,207 (24.48%) received a subsidy from the state, (which is a non-contributory benefit for those who no longer qualify for the contributory one, due to the duration of their unemployment or their lack of contributions).