Spain's unemployment rate fell to 9.87% in the second quarter of 2025, the lowest level since 2008, according to official data. The number of people in work rose to 22.779 million after 486,000 jobs were created between April and June, while unemployment fell by 213,300 people.
Spain's unemployment rate in Q2 2025, the lowest in 18 years
The labour force increased by 272,700 to a record 25.27 million people. The services sector accounted for most new jobs, driven by tourism activity, while agriculture was the only sector to lose workers during the period.
Catalonia recorded the largest increase in employment in absolute terms, while the Balearic Islands posted the strongest percentage growth. Almost three quarters of employees now have permanent contracts.
Full-time positions accounted for 405,400 of the 486,000 jobs created. Private-sector employment increased by 501,600, while public-sector employment fell by 15,600. In seasonally adjusted terms, employment grew by 0.54% from the previous quarter.
Spain is 221,000 jobs short of the government's forecast of 23 million people in work by the end of 2026. Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo stated in February 2025 that Spain aims for that target, based on projected employment growth of around 500,000 people a year.