Quarter-on-quarter, employment went up by 182,200 persons to 18.05 million persons as private employment increased by 152,100 and public by 30,100. Among sectors, services (+210,200) and industry (+13,100) added jobs to the economy while in agriculture (-30,900) and construction (-10,300) it declined. By region, the largest increases in the quarter were reported in Catalonia (+35,800 more), Illes Balears (+29,600) and Galicia (+29,100).
Unemployment decreased by 298,200 persons to 4.85 million persons in the three months to September from 5.15 million persons in the previous period. Catalonia recorded the highest decrease (-66,600 persons), followed by Comunitat Madrid (-57,200 persons) and Galicia (-29,600 persons).
The number of active population went down by 116,000 persons to 22.899 million persons and the labor force participation rate decreased by 0.29 percent to 59.50 percent.
By age, the largest increases in employment occur in 16-24 (+87,500), 35-39 (+39,300) and 55+ (+38,400) age groups while reduces in 30-34 (-15,100). Unemployment declined largely in 25-54 (-301,700) and 20-24 (-9,100) age groups while went up in 16-19 (+8,600) and 55+ (+4,000).
A year earlier, the unemployment rate was recorded at 23.67 percent.
Spain has still the second highest unemployment rate in Europe, after Greece.