Else Beekman
Registered unemployment in Spain dropped to 2.51 million in April, the lowest level recorded since July 2008, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy.
The number of job seekers fell by 67,420 compared to March, a 2.6% month-on-month decrease. The fall was largely driven by the service sector, which accounted for nearly three-quarters of the total drop in unemployment.
Meanwhile, the Spanish Social Security system recorded 230,993 additional affiliates in April, marking its second-best April on record. This growth brought the number of average contributors to 21.59 million – the highest figure ever – according to the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. Much of the rise was linked to seasonal hiring in hospitality during the Easter period.
Youth unemployment sees record decline
Compared with April 2024, this year’s drop in unemployment is steeper, though still below the levels seen in April 2023 and 2022. Even when seasonally adjusted, unemployment decreased by 11,327 people in April.
Over the past 12 months, registered unemployment has fallen by 153,782 people – a 5.8% year-on-year decline. Female unemployment dropped by 87,351 (-5.4%) while male unemployment decreased by 66,431 (-6.2%).
By sector, the strongest improvement was seen in services (-49,660), followed by construction (-3,817), agriculture (-3,323), and industry (-2,920). The number of job seekers with no previous employment experience also fell by 7,700.
Men’s unemployment below one million for first time since 2008
By the end of April, 1.52 million women and just under 1 million men were registered as unemployed. This marks the first time since March 2008 that male unemployment has dipped below the million mark.
Among younger workers, unemployment dropped sharply. The number of job seekers under 25 fell by 20,095 (-10.2%), the largest decline for this group in any April since 2001. Overall, there were 177,429 unemployed people under 25 – a historic low for the month.
Unemployment falls nationwide
All autonomous communities registered a decline in unemployment in April. The sharpest decreases were seen in Andalucia (-24,119), Catalonia (-6,048), and the Valencia region (-5,271). At the provincial level, unemployment fell most notably in Seville, Málaga, and Cádiz. The only increase was in the autonomous city of Ceuta, where 40 more people registered as unemployed.
Among foreign nationals, unemployment dropped by 9,689 in April (-2.7%), bringing the total to 352,697 – down 2% compared to a year ago.
Almost half of new contracts are permanent
A total of 1.14 million employment contracts were signed in April, 10% fewer than in the same month last year. Of these, 44.5% were permanent – a slight increase year-on-year. Within this group, 216,550 were full-time contracts, while 117,371 were part-time and 173,982 were fixed-discontinuous.
Temporary contracts made up 55.5% of the total and fell by 10.6% compared to April 2024.
Higher benefits spending, better coverage
Data on unemployment benefits, which lags by one month, showed that in March 2025, Spain spent €2.085 billion on jobless support – 7.3% more than in March 2024. The average gross benefit for those receiving contributory support was €1,005, up €24 from the previous year.
The number of beneficiaries stood at 1.63 million, a 9.4% decrease year-on-year. Meanwhile, the unemployment coverage rate rose to 76.3%, up from 70.4% in March 2024.