Unemployment rose by 44,419 people in August, its biggest increase for that month since 2019, dragged down by the services sector.

In August, the number of registered unemployed individuals in Spain increased by 44,419, marking a 1.92% rise and the largest monthly increase for August since 2019. This growth in unemployment was primarily driven by the services sector, which accounted for nearly 29,000 of the new jobless claims recorded by public employment offices.

Despite the monthly rise in unemployment, the Spanish labor market showed positive year-over-year indicators. The country reached nearly 22.4 million social security affiliates, reflecting the strongest August performance for employment growth since 2007. Official data from the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy and the Ministry of Inclusion indicate that while monthly figures saw a setback, the broader annual trend remains characterized by a decrease in unemployment and an increase in total affiliation.