Unemployment benefit data show that the highest average contribution comes from 17 autonomous communities, with the Balearic Islands reporting 1,003.8 euros, which surpasses Extremadura’s 819.5 euros and other regional figures. The national average remains a reference point for assessing how much a beneficiary typically receives, and the latest Ministry of Labor data confirms these variations across the regions while highlighting overall trends in benefit distribution.
The October 2022 period recorded an average gross amount of 903.6 euros per beneficiary, marking an increase of 32.2 euros, or 3.7 percent, compared with the same month in the previous year. This rise reflects shifts in eligibility, duration, and the composition of beneficiaries across communities as the labor market continued to recover from earlier disruptions.
In the Balearic Islands, the average amount exceeded 100.2 euros above the mean, translating to a positive delta of 11.1 percent when contrasted with the national figure. Conversely, Extremadura remained below the national average by 9.3 percent, with the average pegged at 84.1 euros under the overall mean. These discrepancies illustrate regional differences in job loss duration and the mix of benefits granted to residents in each territory.
The national average was further enhanced by the most common beneficiaries in certain regions. Navarra, Catalonia, Ceuta, the Basque Country, Madrid, La Rioja, Melilla, and Aragon posted average amounts close to or above the national level, specifically around 983 euros in Navarra, 948 euros in Catalonia, 946.8 euros in Ceuta, 940.9 euros in the Basque Country, 937.3 euros in Madrid, 930.3 euros in La Rioja, 911.8 euros in Melilla, and 907.7 euros in Aragon. These figures reflect regional program structures that influence the typical support amount per recipient, including contributions and supplementary income from assets.
On the other side of the spectrum, several regions stayed below the national average. Murcia reported about 893 euros, Cantabria 890.7 euros, Castilla-La Mancha 886.7 euros, the Valencian Community 886.3 euros, Asturias 875.9 euros, Andalusia 875.2 euros, Castilla y León 872.8 euros, Galicia 868.7 euros, and the Canary Islands 854.6 euros, with Extremadura again noted among the lower levels. These numbers help illustrate how regional economies, unemployment rates, and duration of benefits influence the average payout received by beneficiaries in each area.
As of the end of the month, total beneficiaries stood at 1,735,379, a decrease of 4.7 percent compared with the same point in the prior year. This shift mirrors changes in demand for unemployment support and the evolving labor market dynamics across Spain, as more people transition back into employment or adjust to new economic conditions.
More than half of all benefits were concentrated in three communities. Andalusia accounted for 28.79 percent (approximately 499,561 beneficiaries), Catalonia represented 12.79 percent (about 221,910), and the Valencian Community comprised 10.80 percent (around 187,353). These shares point to larger population bases and regional exposure to unemployment fluctuations, as well as variations in the scale of regional programs.
Within Madrid, the number of beneficiaries reached 169,419. The Canary Islands recorded 92,581 beneficiaries, Castile-La Mancha 82,708, Extremadura 73,378, Castile and León 69,306, Murcia 57,679, and the Basque Country 50,066. These figures help map the geographic distribution of unemployment support and show how regional demographics shape the demand for benefits.
Total expenditures for October 2022 were 1,697.8 million euros, which represents an 8.9 percent reduction in spending compared with the same month of the previous year. This decline underscores how changes in policy, eligibility, or recipient behavior can influence monthly outlays while still maintaining overall program objectives.
In terms of proportion of spending by region, Andalusia accounted for 23.72 percent, Catalonia 15.30 percent, Madrid 11.91 percent, and the Valencian Community 11.01 percent. These shares help contextualize the distribution of resources and the influence of regional unemployment dynamics on total program costs.
The accompanying table, organized by autonomous community, breaks out beneficiaries, expenditures in thousands of euros, and the average contribution per beneficiary per month. It separates total figures from partial contributions, subsidies, and income from asset additions, offering a clear breakdown of how funds are allocated and how the average amounts per recipient are calculated. The data collectively provide a snapshot of the unemployment support landscape and how it varies across Spain, reflecting demographic patterns and regional program design.