Quarter-on-quarter, employment fell by 0.65 percent to 17.45 million persons as private employment decreased by 143,500 while public employment went up by 29,200. Among sectors, construction (+30,300) and industry (+2,300) added more jobs while services and agriculture lost 135,400 and 11,500 jobs respectively.
For the 40-44 years old and more than 55 years old age groups, employment rose by 11,800 and 48,000 respectively. In contrast, in a group from 25 to 39 years old employment declined by 125,000.
Unemployment decreased marginally by 0.24 percent to 5.44 million persons in the three months to March. Andalucia recorded the highest decrease (-36,600 persons), followed by Principado de Asturias (-11,300 persons) and Murcia (-10,000 persons) while in Comunitat Valenciana, Illes Balears (+19,400 persons each) and Galicia (+11,900 persons) there were more unemployed persons.
A year earlier, the unemployment rate was recorded at 25.93 percent.