The Spanish labor market shows a strong April as hiring accelerates across sectors
At the start of the year, doubts lingered, but the job market has moved into a sweet moment. After a record in March with 206,000 new jobs, April surpassed that figure, creating a substantial positive balance. A total of 238,436 additional workers joined the workforce, bringing total employment to 20.6 million. Never before in April had so many jobs been created while the number of SGK members grew in parallel. This marks a striking contrast to past cycles when job creation lagged behind labor market participation.
Even amid the ongoing war in Ukraine, supply chains have largely stabilized and inflation remains a concern for households. The labor market in Spain not only withstood these pressures but continued to grow, according to data updated this Thursday by the Ministries of Labor and Social Security. In regional terms, Catalonia stood out as the autonomous community that created the third most jobs, while the Balearic Islands and Andalusia contributed meaningfully to Madrid’s overall employment surge.
Companies are hiring at unprecedented rates, and this brisk activity has not hindered the overall unemployment trajectory. The number of unemployed individuals declined by 73,890 in April, bringing unemployment to 2.7 million. While this is the lowest figure since 2008, it remains the highest rate within the European Union. By gender, unemployment among men has fallen more sharply in recent years than among women, reflecting evolving labor market dynamics and participation patterns.
Linked to the broader reform process, long-term unemployment continues to be a policy priority. Unlike previous crises, coverage for unemployment benefits remains relatively robust, with official sources indicating that about 64% of the unemployed receive support. The average time to obtain a new benefit has shortened to approximately 1.6 days, underscoring improvements in the efficiency of social protection programs and the responsiveness of the system to labor market changes.
The hotel industry drives the recovery
Hospitality now acts as a pivotal engine of employment, especially with the approach of the summer season and the Easter travel boost. Seasonal adjustments suggest the sector is past the shadows of the Covid era and is gearing up for a strong summer, as noted in the latest status report from the Barcelona Chamber of Commerce. The uptick in activity aligns with record demand from both national and international visitors, signaling renewed confidence in tourism and related services.
Spain’s labor market is broadening its gains across sectors that bore the heaviest tolls during health restrictions. According to seasonally adjusted indicators, the hospitality sector, entertainment, gaming, and air transport show the largest relative increases in employment. This pattern indicates a broadening recovery that spans services and connected industries, reinforcing a more resilient economic footing after the pandemic shock.
These developments come as policymakers continue to monitor the balance between flexible hiring practices and sustainable wage growth. The current moment reflects a dynamic economy where job creation outpaces earlier expectations, while social protection mechanisms adapt to a changing employment landscape. Authorities emphasize continued vigilance on long-term unemployment and the quality of jobs, aiming to convert existing momentum into durable, inclusive growth across all regions and sectors.
Source notes: official data from the Ministries of Labor and Social Security, with regional breakdowns and sectoral analyses cited. Further details are published in the latest government briefings and summarized in regional chamber reports. Attribution to the cited authorities is provided for transparency and context.