Spain’s unemployment rate climbed to 10.83% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 9.93% in the previous period, above market expectations of 9.8%. The number of unemployed persons rose by 231,500, reaching a total of 2.71 million. This seasonal spike follows the conclusion of the holiday period, a typical trend in the Spanish labor market. Employment figures saw a contraction, with 170,300 jobs lost, bringing the total number of occupied persons to 22.29 million. The services sector bore the brunt of the decline, shedding 228,400 positions, while industry showed resilience with 28,100 new roles. Despite the quarterly dip, the annual trend remains positive, with unemployment falling by 80,600 compared to Q1 2025. The Labor Force Participation Rate increased slightly to 58.86%, as the active population grew by 447,000. source: National Statistics Institute (INE)

Unemployment Rate in Spain increased to 10.83 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 9.93 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Spain averaged 16.01 percent from 1976 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 26.94 percent in the first quarter of 2013 and a record low of 4.41 percent in the third quarter of 1976. This page provides the latest reported value for - Spain Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Spain Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on April of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Spain increased to 10.83 percent in the first quarter of 2026 from 9.93 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Spain is expected to be 9.70 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Spain Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 9.40 percent in 2027 and 9.20 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-01-27 08:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q4 9.93% 10.45% 10.6% 10.0%
2026-04-28 07:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q1 10.83% 9.93% 9.8% 10.0%
2026-07-28 07:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Q2 10.83% 9.70%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 22293.00 22463.30 Thousand Mar 2026
Employment Rate 52.48 53.09 percent Mar 2026
Full Time Employment 19257.10 19373.60 Thousand Mar 2026
Job Vacancies 47.41 44.64 Thousand Feb 2026
Job Vacancy Rate 0.90 0.90 percent Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 58.86 58.94 percent Mar 2026
Labour Costs 118.85 123.71 points Dec 2025
Part Time Employment 3035.90 3089.70 Thousand Mar 2026
Population 49.57 49.13 Million Dec 2025
Unemployment Rate 10.83 9.93 percent Mar 2026
Wages 2531.04 2268.00 EUR/Month Dec 2025
Wages in Manufacturing 2880.28 2600.91 EUR/Month Dec 2025


Spain Unemployment Rate
In Spain, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
10.83 9.93 26.94 4.41 1976 - 2026 percent Quarterly

News Stream
Spain Jobless Rate Rises in Q1
Spain’s unemployment rate climbed to 10.83% in the first quarter of 2026, up from 9.93% in the previous period, above market expectations of 9.8%. The number of unemployed persons rose by 231,500, reaching a total of 2.71 million. This seasonal spike follows the conclusion of the holiday period, a typical trend in the Spanish labor market. Employment figures saw a contraction, with 170,300 jobs lost, bringing the total number of occupied persons to 22.29 million. The services sector bore the brunt of the decline, shedding 228,400 positions, while industry showed resilience with 28,100 new roles. Despite the quarterly dip, the annual trend remains positive, with unemployment falling by 80,600 compared to Q1 2025. The Labor Force Participation Rate increased slightly to 58.86%, as the active population grew by 447,000.
2026-04-28
Spain Jobless Rate Falls Below 10%
Spain’s unemployment rate fell to 9.93% in the fourth quarter of 2025 from 10.45% in the third quarter, marking the lowest level in 18 years and coming in below market expectations of 10.6%. It was the first time the jobless rate dropped below 10% since the first quarter of 2008. Employment rose by 76,200 to a record 22.46 million, while the number of unemployed declined by 136,100 to 2.48 million. The total labor force decreased by 59,900 to 24.94 million. The private sector accounted for 92% of the jobs created in 2025, Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo said, adding that the figures point to a stronger and more stable labor market with higher-quality employment supporting continued welfare growth.
2026-01-27
Spain Jobless Rate Rises in Q3
Spain’s unemployment rate rose to 10.45% in Q3 2025, up from 10.29% in Q2 and above expectations of 10.2%, even as employment hit a record high. The increase reflected a larger workforce, with more people actively seeking jobs. Employment grew by 118,400 to 22.39 million, marking a new record, while the number of unemployed rose by 60,100 to 2.61 million. The total labor force expanded by 178,500 to reach 25 million. The Economy Ministry said the data “corroborate the dynamism of the labor market,” highlighting continued job creation despite a modest rise in unemployment as participation increased.
2025-10-24