Catalonia adds 50,000 new affiliates in May and employment nears four million

BarcelonaEmployment in Catalonia breaks a new record, nearing 4 million. Specifically, according to data released this Tuesday by the Ministry of Social Security, 3.97 million Catalans were registered as affiliates 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. Additionally, in comparison with May 2025, the reduction is accentuated by up to 3.72%, with 11,892 fewer unemployed people.

By provinces, Lleida led the growth in affiliations in relative terms, with an increase of 3.56% compared to April. Girona was the second territory with the largest increase in employment, with 2.15%, while 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%.

22.3 million affiliates

At the state level, the data also follow a positive trend, with an average of 231,975 more employed people during May. For the first time, the Spanish labor market surpassed 22.3 million affiliates, after the second best May since records began. In year-on-year terms, the increase is up to 553,431 employed people (+2.54%). The total number of unemployed people in Spain also fell in May (-1.54), and the total number of people registered with the 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 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.