Catalonia’s registered unemployment figures for October: increase of 11,321, lowest in 4 years

Barcelona (ACN).- Registered unemployment figures for the month of October have been released on Tuesday by the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Security, and stands at 587,133 people registered at the Catalan Public Employment Service (SOC). This represents a rise of 1.97% since September, equivalent to 11,321 more people unemployed in October. However, this is the lowest increase in October in the last four years of the Ministry series, which began in 1996. Compared with October last year, unemployment has decreased by 7.37%, representing 46,699 less people unemployment this month than the same time. In annual terms, this represents 16 consecutive months of decreasing unemployment in Catalonia since July 2013. In the whole of Spain, there were 4,526,804 people unemployed this October, which is a rise of 79,154 from September. As in Catalonia, Spain’s rise in the number of unemployed people in October is its lowest in four years. In Catalonia by sector, there has been a rise in unemployment in agriculture and services, with an increase of 10,317 and 1,973 respectively, but a decrease in the sectors of industry and construction, in which there are 7 and 1,457 more people employed. A statement from the Catalan Government has said it "confirms positive trend" in employment.

Rise in monthly unemployment, but falling annual rate

In monthly terms, the rise in October means three consecutive months of recorded increases in unemployment. In annual terms however, since July 2013 there have been 16 consecutive months of annual declines. According to the Ministry series, October has only registered a decrease in unemployment in Catalonia in the years 2007 (-222); 2005 (-3,804); and 2004 (-312).

Across the four provinces of Catalonia, unemployment has increased in monthly terms, but fallen in annual terms.

Barcelona

In the case of Barcelona, in central Catalonia, the number of people enrolled in the Employment Service in Catalonia (SOC) this October stood at 434,505 people, 3,453 more unemployed than in September. This represents an increase of 0.80% from September, but 39,076 less people than in October last year, a decrease of  8.25% people. In annual terms, the Province of Barcelona has accumulated 16 consecutive months of yearly declining unemployment. The decrease in unemployment this October compared with last year, is the most significant in all the months since July 2013.

Girona

In October the number of people enrolled in the SOC in the Province of Girona, in north-eastern Catalonia, stood at 55,030 unemployed, 3,367 more than in September, representing an increase of 6.52%. Compared with last year, the number of unemployed people fell by 3,238 less unemployed, -5.56%. The Province of Girona has accumulated 15 consecutive months of annual declines, particularly since August 2013.

Lleida

The number of people enrolled in the SOC in the western Province of Lleida in October stood at 29,291 unemployed, 1,974 more than in September, representing an increase of 7.23%. Compared with last year, the number of people unemployed fell by 974 less unemployed, a fall of -3.22%. The Province of Lleida has accumulated 17 consecutive months of annual declines, particularly since June 2013.

Tarragona

This October, the number of people registered in the SOC in Tarragona Province, in southern Catalonia, stood at 68,307 unemployed, a rise of 2,527 from September, equating to a 3.84% increase. Compared with last year, the number of unemployed people fell by 3,411, -4.76% less people. The Province of Tarragona has accumulated 16 consecutive months of annual declines, particularly since July 2013.

Increasing number of contracts

The number of contracts signed in October in Catalonia stood at 251,638, 11.48% more than September and an increase of 12.51% from October last year. The Spanish Ministry of Employment series indicates that this October has been the month of October recording the highest number of contracts since October 2007 when 306,039 contracts were signed.

The majority of the contracts signed in October continue to be temporary, which represent 87.76% of total employment, while permanent contracts accounted for 12.24%. Compared with October last year, the number of permanent contracts accounted for 10.84% of the total and while temporary represented 89.16%, almost one and a half of positive difference in favour of the temporary contract. If we look at the evolution of more permanent hiring in October compared with October last year, the number of temporary contracts has grown by 27.09%, while the permanent ones have increased by 10.74%.

Less than 3 out of every 5 unemployment people are on benefits

The number of unemployed people receiving any type of benefits from the SOC in Catalonia stood at 330,295 in September (this type of data is issued with a month delay), 57.36% of the 575,812 total unemployed people registered this month. These figures represent that less than 3 out of every 5 unemployed people in Catalonia are receiving benefits.

Catalan Government "confirms positive trend" in employment

The Catalan Government has welcomed the annual decline in unemployment seen by October figures. The Secretary of Employment and Industrial Relations, Joan Aregio noted that the annual decrease of 46,699 unemployed in Catalonia for the month of October, "confirms positive trend" in employment patterns. In a press conference, Aregio highlighted the stability of employment in the industry sector in recent months, and recalled that Catalonia is"out of the crisis in this sector".

Despite the monthly rise in unemployment, Aregio noted that in annual terms the trend is clear and pointed out that October shows the best on-year data since 2000. "In October there is a more traditional pattern of rising unemployment, but the data confirms the trend and it looks positive that we will end the year with fewer unemployed than in early 2014," he said.

Aregio also welcomed the increase of over 64,000 new members to the Social Security system in Catalonia, and the rise in the percentage of permanent contracts over time. Therefore, he said the Catalan Government is "moderately optimistic" despite a recovery in employment that "is getting stronger." "Yes, the situation has turned. There remains work to be done, but we can confirm that the trend is positive," he concluded.