Spain’s employment hits record 22.34 million as unemployment falls to lowest May since 2007

National employment picture

Spain’s labour market set a new record in May 2026. Social Security affiliates rose by 231,975 compared with April, reaching an all‑time high of 22,337,806, according to data released on 2 June by the Ministry of Inclusion, Social Security and Migration. The surge pushed daily peaks as high as 22.4 million affiliates. At the same time, registered unemployment fell by 36,323 people, to 2,320,721, the lowest figure for a May in 19 years, going back to before the financial crisis. The youth jobless tally fell below 165,000 for the first time in a May.

Regional performance

Every autonomous community contributed to the gains, with Catalonia leading in absolute terms. The region added 50,034 affiliates to reach a record 3,971,167, while unemployment dropped by 6,900 to 307,627, the lowest since May 2008. Galicia also passed milestones: unemployment fell by 2,938 to 109,355, crossing below the 110,000 threshold, and affiliates hit 1,111,867, a new high. Navarra posted its best May unemployment figure since 2008, with a decline of 618 to 28,285, and affiliate numbers reached a historic 322,358. In Castilla‑La Mancha, unemployment dropped by 1,682 to 115,455, the lowest level in 18 years. Baleares and Catalonia together accounted for 42% of the national job increase.

Driving sectors

Hospitality was the standout engine. It generated 67,257 new positions, roughly one‑third of the monthly increase, as employers began hiring for the summer season. Administrative activities and auxiliary services added 28,782 jobs, commerce gained 16,487, and construction rose by 14,143. All productive sectors saw unemployment fall except the category of people without previous employment, which registered a slight increase.

Hospitality

67257 jobs

Administrative

28782 jobs

Commerce

16487 jobs

Construction

14143 jobs

Foreign workers

Half of the employment growth in May came from workers of foreign nationality, who added 111,301 affiliates. Their total reached 3.36 million, now 15% of all Social Security registrations. The jump likely reflects the start of a migration regularisation process that opened in April; the government has received 549,596 applications and processed nearly 150,000 so far.

Foreign workers

15 %

National workers

85 %

Government reaction

Pedro Sánchez welcomed the data.

We are creating quality employment, strengthening rights, and showing that economic growth and social justice can go hand in hand.

The prime minister pointed to the 22.3 million affiliate milestone and the lowest May jobless figure since 2007 as evidence that labour reforms are bearing fruit. Analysts note that the seasonally adjusted series, which smooths out calendar effects, also stands at a peak of 22.1 million affiliates after 64 consecutive months of increases.