Improvement of the labor market in the service sector
During the month of July, unemployment in Catalonia has experienced a decrease of 5,816 people, according to data published by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy. This improvement in the labor market has been led by the services sector, which has experienced an increase in activity during the first months of summer. With this reduction, the number of unemployed in the region stands at 324,966, the lowest in the last fifteen years, since July 2008, just before the financial crisis.
Improvement in all branches of the economy
According to data from the ministry led by Yolanda Díaz, all branches of the economy have experienced an improvement in their performance during the month of June. However, the tertiary sector has been the one that has recorded the greatest decrease in unemployment. In Catalonia, the services sector has seen a reduction of 4,628 unemployed people compared to the previous month, followed by industry with more than 680 fewer unemployed. Even the construction sector has seen an improvement, with 272 fewer people out of work, and the agricultural sector has gained 66 workers.
Decrease in unemployment at national level
At the national level, the number of job seekers has decreased by more than 48,000 people, which represents a reduction of 1.8% compared to the previous month. Currently, there are just over 2.5 million unemployed throughout the country, marking the lowest levels in recent history. As in Catalonia, the services sector has been the one that has experienced the greatest decrease in unemployment, with more than 37,000 people finding work in this sector. Industry and construction have also recorded a decrease in unemployment, with 4,388 and almost 3,000 fewer unemployed respectively.
Factors that influence unemployment figures
It is important to note that unemployment figures can be influenced by various factors. In this year’s case, it has been observed that the number of workers was not as high as in previous years due to the economic crisis caused by the pandemic. In addition, the hiring of seasonal workers in sectors such as hospitality has influenced the seasonal fluctuations of the labour market.
Increase in employment in Catalonia
The decrease in unemployment in Catalonia has been accompanied by a significant increase in the number of people affiliated with Social Security. According to data from the ministry led by Elma Saiz, Catalonia has reached 3.83 million members in June. Although the pace of job creation has been slightly slower than in May, it is still positive, with an increase of 0.69%. Compared to June 2023, the expansion is even more notable, with growth close to 2.5%. These data place Catalonia as a leader in job creation throughout the country.
Diversification of employment in key sectors
Regarding job creation at the national level, an increase has been observed in the number of affiliated workers, exceeding 21 million. Hospitality and commerce have been the sectors that have led the creation of new jobs, closely followed by the education sector, which has experienced an increase of 14.5% compared to the previous year. In addition, the high-tech and knowledge economy sectors have also experienced significant growth in the hiring of specialized profiles, with an increase of 4% in the first six months of the year.
Conclusions
In summary, unemployment in Catalonia has experienced a significant decrease during the month of July, led by the services sector. At the national level, a reduction in unemployment has also been observed, especially in the service sector. These data reflect an improvement in the labor market and an increase in job creation in different sectors of the economy. However, it is important to keep in mind that unemployment figures can be influenced by various factors, such as the economic situation and seasonal hiring.
