Catalonia adds 50,000 new members in May and employment borders on four million

BarcelonaEmployment in Catalonia breaks a new record, reaching 4 million. Specifically, according to data released this Tuesday by the Ministry of Social Security, 3.97 million Catalans were registered as affiliates to the organization in May, representing an increase of 1.28% compared to April. This is the second consecutive month that the Catalan labor market has broken the record for active employees. Furthermore, compared to May of last year, 89,882 jobs have been created in Catalonia, placing the figure 2.32% higher year-on-year.

On the other hand, Catalan unemployment decreased by 6,900 people compared to the previous month (-2.19%) and the total number of people registered at SEPE offices in Catalonia stands at its lowest value since May 2008, with 307,627. With this decrease, unemployment has fallen for the third consecutive month, as indicated by data collected by the Ministry of Labor. Furthermore, compared to May 2025, the reduction is accentuated by up to 3.72%, with 11,892 fewer unemployed people.

By demarcations, Lleida led in relative terms the growth of affiliations, with an increase of 3.56% compared to April. Girona was the second territory with the largest increase in employment, with 2.15%, and in Tarragona affiliations grew by 1.89%. The increase in people registered with Social Security was more moderate in Barcelona, where they rose by 0.92%.

Regarding the data by sectors, compared to April, unemployment fell especially in agriculture (-3.49%) and in the services sector (-2.40%), but it also decreased in industry (-1.71%) and construction (-1.48%). However, if we compare the figures with those from a year ago, construction continues to lead the decrease in relative terms, with -12.06%. Year-on-year, agriculture (-6.80%), industry (-5.48%), and services (-3.8%) also register decreases. By gender, there are still more unemployed women (179,000) than men (128,627).

22.3 million affiliates

At the state level, the data also follow a positive trend, with an average of 231,975 more employed in May. For the first time, 22.3 million affiliates were exceeded in the Spanish labor market after the second best May since records exist. In annual terms, the increase is up to 553,431 employed (+2.54%). The total number of unemployed in Spain also decreased in May (-1.54) and the number of people registered with SEPE stood at 2.32 million, the lowest level in a May since 2007.

Catalonia was the territory that generated the most jobs during the month of May compared to April, although in relative terms it was the fifth behind the Balearic Islands (+7.96%), Aragon (+2.56%), La Rioja (+1.87%), and Murcia (+1.33%). Furthermore, Catalonia was also the second community that reduced unemployment the most in absolute numbers compared to April.

In all territories and sectors

In a statement, the Minister of Business and Labor of the Generalitat, Miquel Sàmper, remarked that Catalonia "leads" employment in the entire State and pointed out that the country continues to generate more employment than Madrid. Furthermore, Sàmper celebrated that the reduction in unemployment is experienced "in all territories, in all sectors, and equally between men and women" and highlighted that the volume of unemployed people is decreasing among young people under 25 years of age. In addition, the Minister of Inclusion, Social Security, and Migration, Elma Saiz, detailed that at the state level, since May 2018, "there are nearly 3.4 million more affiliates".

From the business sector, however, a more moderate interpretation of the data is made. Despite acknowledging the positive trend, the general secretary of Pimec, Josep Ginesta, stated that, in reality, "we are not at record figures," since, as he pointed out, Catalonia had fewer unemployed people before 2008. According to the general secretary of the employers' association of small and medium-sized enterprises, the affiliation data, therefore, would have been driven by demographic growth. Moreover, Ginesta stated that the year-on-year reduction in unemployment of 3.72% could be better. On the other hand, UGT Catalunya demands the promotion of active employment policies adapted to the profile of people who are unemployed; while CCOO requests effective measures to reduce youth unemployment.