Overview
- The EPA, Spain’s labour-force survey, reports that in Q1 2026 unemployment rose to 10.83% with 231,500 more people out of work and 170,300 jobs lost, leaving 22,293,000 employed.
- The rise is the sharpest first‑quarter increase since 2013 and the weakest Q1 since 2020, taking the rate back above the sub‑10% level reached late last year.
- Job losses centered on the private sector and services, public payrolls grew by 21,100, and most cuts hit temporary contracts with 85,400 such jobs lost versus 17,600 permanent roles.
- Even with the quarterly setback, employment is up 2.42% from a year earlier, seasonally adjusted payrolls exceed 22.5 million, and the labour force tops 25 million for the first time.
- Malaga province reflects the national turn with 7,200 jobs lost in the quarter and a 12.59% unemployment rate, as industry posted the largest decline.