At first glance, the math seems contradictory: many people are unemployed while a significant number of positions remain unfilled. In the Valencian Community, 339,295 people are unemployed and 19,194 vacancies are open. Over the past three years, the vacancy total has surged by 116 percent since the pandemic began, making it the second-largest increase in Spain after Asturias and one of the top three in the country, alongside Catalonia and Madrid. The driving force behind this trend is the high demand for workers, with up to 190,599 places offered this year, a level that cannot be covered by available candidates. This gap reflects insufficient training, job insecurity in some roles, and higher costs for employers, which all contribute to the mismatch. The limited calls for public employment also play a role, as many administration vacancies remain unfilled.
The latest INE survey on vacancies, covering the third quarter of this year, shows that Spain had 143,876 unfilled jobs last September, up 38.1 percent from the previous year and above the pre-pandemic level of the third quarter of 2019. The same report notes that vacancies grew in 14 of 17 autonomous communities, with Valencia reporting the second-highest growth rate, rising from 8,873 to 19,194 in the period. Asturias leads with a 131.44 percent increase, bringing its total to 2,856; the Canary Islands stand third with a 75.8 percent rise and 5,631 vacancies; and Galicia reports a 66.29 percent increase with 4,651 openings. Cantabria shows a decrease of 56.73 percent to 408, La Rioja declines by 29.91 percent to 396, and Extremadura drops 2.31 percent to 1,059.
by sectors
Although INE is a solid indicator for vacancies in high-demand occupations, it only provides sector data at the national level. The Public Administration and Defense sector leads with 45,427 vacancies, underscoring that even where posts exist, they are not enough. Health and social work account for 13,607 openings, and education for 5,623. The trade and repair of vehicles sector stands out with 21,117 vacancies; administrative activities and ancillary services show 9,667; information and communication 7,936; manufacturing 6,794; transport and storage 5,882; and accommodation 5,683. On the other hand, electricity supply and real estate activities currently report no unfilled positions.
Several factors appear to drive this situation. The enormous demand for employment is evident. A regional leader in staffing, Víctor Tatay, general manager of Adecco Levante, notes that well over 190,000 job offers were posted in the Valencian Community last year, with 13.7 percent in commerce and sales, 12.7 percent in engineering, 10 percent in hospitality, 9 percent in logistics and distribution, and smaller shares in other sectors such as technology and industry.
From Tatay’s perspective, many vacancies exist because hiring needs are highly pronounced. Some roles remain hard to fill due to a shortage of trained workers, while others are incentivized by wage and hours conditions that are not attractive. Some companies can raise offers to attract candidates, but others struggle to compete. Specific shortages are felt in profiles like logistics forklift operators, engineers, architects, cybersecurity specialists, plumbers, waiters, and cooks.
Uncertainty
Uniquely, uncertainty in the broader economy could amplify vacancy growth. Paloma Taltavull, professor of Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Alicante, emphasizes that current instability makes employment trends highly sensitive to cost pressures faced by firms and contractors. An uptick in vacancies also tends to increase working hours, as observed in recent data.
Labor unions weigh in on the issue. Paco García, secretary of CC OO in l’Alacantí-Les Marines, argues for comprehensive studies to explain why Alicante records a relatively high unemployment rate alongside many vacancies. He calls for a formal assessment by the Provincial Economic and Social Council and institutions such as Ineca to illuminate the drivers behind these seemingly contradictory conditions.
Which occupations have the most vacancies in Spain?
For union leaders, accurate diagnostics are crucial to predict future workforce needs, especially in growth areas like renewable energy and related technical fields. Understanding demand helps design effective vocational training programs and targeted education policies. At the same time, improving working conditions—especially for service roles such as hospitality—remains essential. The aim is to make jobs sustainable and attractive so workers do not have to bear excessive travel and living costs to take up employment.
Another major challenge highlighted is a lack of training within companies, which constrains workers from moving into higher-skilled roles and complicates generational renewal.
public employment services
Public employment services are seen as a key channel for coordinating labor market needs with training providers. Experts argue for direct engagement between employers and job centers to tailor education policies to actual demand. Clear communication between employers and public services is essential to align recruitment with available training and to address hiring needs more objectively.
Both sides stress that working conditions must improve. People want to work, but not at the expense of fair treatment or personal life balance. Compliance with existing laws and regulations should be enough to ensure dignity and security in the workplace.
Ultimately, public administration vacancies should be filled to return to earlier hiring rates, underscoring the importance of aligning public sector recruitment with labor market realities.