Unemployment rises to 11.8% despite the fact that 209,100 jobs were created in the third quarter

Unemployment rose by 92,700 people in the third quarter of the year to 2,855,200 people, 3.3% more than in the previous quarter and its largest increase in absolute values ​​since the third quarter of 2020, in the midst of the pandemic. The total number of unemployed rises to 2,855,200 people and the unemployment rate increases two tenths, to 11.84%, according to data from the Active Population Survey (EPA) made public today, although it drops compared to the same period of the year. previous year (12.67%). In seasonally adjusted terms - without the influence of calendar differences on the statistics - the quarterly variation is 0.01% and in the last 12 months unemployment has fallen by 125,000 people (-4.20%).

By territory, the greatest increases in unemployment occurred in the Community of Madrid (37,600 more unemployed) and Andalusia (30,700) and the greatest quarterly decreases were recorded in Castilla-La Mancha (-11,900), the Balearic Islands (-8,400) and Aragón (- 5,600). In annual terms, the greatest reductions in the number of unemployed occur in the Valencian Community (-31,700), the Canary Islands (-25,000) and Castilla-La Mancha (-24,900).

Parallel to the increase in unemployment, in the same summer period, 209,100 jobs were created (0.99%), almost three times more than in the summer of 2022, and employment renews a record this third quarter to a total of 21,265,900 people working, after 603,900 workers were added in the second quarter due to the push of the services sector and the 21 million workers were exceeded for the first time.

The EPA also shows that in this same period in which unemployment increases, the active population also increases, that is, the number of people of age and willingness to work: the unemployment rate measures the percentage that the total number of unemployed represents with respect to to the active population: when the total active population is above the total employed population, the rest are unemployed.

Thus, the number of active people increases this summer by 301,900 (1.3%), up to 24,121,000, with the activity rate at 59.41%, four tenths more: in the last year the active population has increased by 595,100 people and unemployment has been reduced by 125,000 (-4.2%), creating 720,100 jobs (3.51%), while the volume of assets has increased by 595,100 people (2.5%).

Employment increases this quarter by 192,200 people in the private sector and 17,000 in the public sector. In the last 12 months, employment has increased by 691,600 people in the private sector and 28,600 in the public sector.

Salaried employees grow this quarter by 266,000. Those with a permanent contract increased by 232,100 and those with a temporary contract increased by 33,900.

The largest increases in employment this quarter occur in the Valencian Community (80,700 more), Catalonia (62,400) and the Balearic Islands (35,200). The greatest decreases are observed in the Community of Madrid (-15,700), Andalusia (-3,800) and the Basque Country (-2,800). In the last year, employment has grown in almost all communities, especially in Catalonia (156,500), Valencian Community (130,000) and Madrid (119,300).

By sectors, unemployment decreased in the last year in construction (12,300 fewer unemployed) and in Agriculture (-11,000). And it increases in services (14,800) and in industry (1,200).

For its part, the number of unemployed people who have lost their job more than a year ago has decreased by 88,500 and the number of unemployed people looking for their first job has decreased by 29,100.

"In the third quarter, employment and the active population continued to increase, employment stability was reinforced and the creation of jobs in the private sector continued," says the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Digital Transformation in a statement in line with the EPA data released today.

"From July to September, 209,100 jobs were created, up to 21,265,900 people, which represents a record employment, reflecting the strength of the Spanish economy in the current complex international environment."

"The active population continued to increase significantly by more than 300,000 people in the last three months, up to 24,121,000 people, also reaching a new historical maximum, which shows the confidence of workers in finding employment."