We are about to complete two years of training labor reform Supported by the coalition government between PSOE and Unidas Podemos, 2023 offers a balance, summarized by a record achievement in the level of employment (with more than 20.8 million members) and a decrease in employment. volume of unemployment fell to the lowest level since 2007 2,707,456 unemployed registered with employment services. And all this in an international context geopolitical uncertainty and the economic slowdown, which is predicted to worsen in 2024. The question now is whether 2024, like 2023, will improve employment slowdown prospects.
1. Record employment: women and young people are interested in membership
Although 2023 was the year that started with bad omens, it managed to close the year with a 2.7% increase compared to the previous year, with an increase of 539,740 dependents, for a total of 20,836,010 Social Security records. The increase in the number of members in 2023 (539,740 people) exceeded the number of members in 2022 (471,360 people), and the total between the two years reached a figure slightly above this. million increase. More than half (55%) of jobs created in 2023 womenMore than 9,850,000 contributors, 300,000 more than in December 2022 and representing 47.3% of all workers; this is the maximum number in the historical series. Employment also increased above average. Youth: Compared to pre-pandemic levels, Social Security coverage for those under 30 increased by 10.8%; This is 3.7 percentage points above average growth.
2. Unemployment: lowest level since 2007
It closed December 2023 with a monthly decrease of 27 thousand 375 people and an annual decrease of 130 thousand 197 people in unemployment. Thus, registered unemployment reached 2 million 707 thousand 456 people, the lowest figure in this month since 2007, before the financial crisis broke out. 71% of the unemployed are protected by some form of assistance.
First of all, unemployment decreased in 2023 Services (-81,333 fewer unemployed), but also industry (-17.731), agriculture (-15.483) and structure (-13.339), also in the group unemployed person who has never had a job before (-2.311).
The decline in unemployment in 2023 benefited the most women (-73.175) from now on men (-57,022), but they continue to represent almost 60% of the total number of registered unemployed.
Number of unemployed people by age less than 25 years It fell to 193,965 people, marking the lowest level in the historical series. “Never have there been so few young people unemployed,” summarized Joaquín Pérez Rey, Minister of State for Employment.
With autonomous communities, Unemployment is lower in all countries in 2023 than in 2022, but it decreased least in the following countries: Madrid (-1,924 unemployed, 0.65% less than in 2022), Catalonia (-2,957 unemployed, 0.85% less than a year ago) and the Basque Country (-3,019 unemployed, 2.72% less at the annual rate). In relative terms, unemployment is mainly Balearic Islands (-11.5%), Aragon (-9.5%), Galicia (-8.9%) and Canary Islands (-8.36%).
3. 2024 Outlook: Slowdown
2023 started with a slowing profile but was punctuated by positive surprises. months of April and May. Employment continued its slowdown in the second half of the year, but the increase in engagement in December (29,937) far exceeded the increase in the same month in 2022 (12,640). “Prospects for 2024 are more modest and slower growth rates. In any case, we are confident that the growth rate will continue to be intense and the quality of employment will solidify,” the Secretary of State said at a press conference. said. Department of Social Security, Borja Suárez.
4. Historical minimum in the temporary employment rate
The effects of labor reform are evident, first of all, in higher levels of employment stability. There are currently more than 3.1 million affiliates, according to data from the Ministry of Social Security. Indefinite contract Based on December 2021, the last month before the reform comes into force. Thus, in December, the percentage of members with permanent contracts increased by 16 points since the labor reform, reaching 86%, the highest level in history. And provisional rate remains at a minimum (14%). in case under 30 years oldThe decrease in the level of temporary employment was more intense, falling by 31 points (from 53% to 22%) compared to the pre-reform level.
The effects of labor reform are also being noticed in the development of permanent contracts full time growing more intensively throughout the year (5.5% on average in 2023) part time (5.2%) and discontinuous constant (3.7%).