In Valencian Community, unemployment rises alongside a surge in job openings
At first glance, the pairing of 339,295 unemployed people with 19,194 unfilled jobs seems contradictory. Yet this is the reality in the Valencian Community. Job vacancies have surged by 116% over the past three years since the pandemic, placing the region among the top increases in Spain. The overall demand for workers is clear: as many as 190,599 positions are offered this year, and many cannot be filled because suitable profiles are scarce. Factors such as insufficient training, the insecurity of some roles, and higher costs for companies contribute to this phenomenon. The limited number of public employment calls also plays a role, with many vacancies in the administration remaining unfilled [INE, 2023].
The latest survey from the National Institute of Statistics (INE) covering the third quarter of this year shows Spain-wide unfilled vacancies at 143,876 in September, a 38.1% year-over-year rise. In the Valencian Community, vacancies grew from 8,873 to 19,194 in this period, making it the region with the second highest growth percentage. Asturias leads with a 131.44% increase to 2,856 total, while the Canary Islands report a 75.8% rise to 5,631, and Galicia 66.29% to 4,651. Cantabria declines by 56.73% to 408, La Rioja down 29.91% to 396, and Extremadura falls 2.31% to 1,059 [INE, 2023].
by sectors
INE data remains strongest for occupations with the most unfilled roles, though it presents sector data only at the national level. Public Administration and Defense lead with 45,427 vacancies, underscoring ongoing demand even when administrative openings are debated. In the same sector, health and social services account for 13,607 vacancies and education for 5,623. Trade and vehicle repair register 21,117; administrative activities and ancillary services 9,667; information and communication 7,936; manufacturing 6,794; transport and storage 5,882; and accommodation 5,683. Electricity supply and real estate activities currently show no unfilled jobs.
Several factors help explain this scenario. One major point is the high demand for work today. Víctor Tatay, general manager of Adecco in the Levante region, notes more than 190,000 job offers were posted in the Valencian Community last year, with the following distribution: 13.7% in sales and commercial sectors, 12.7% in engineering, 10% in hotels and restaurants, 9% in logistics and distribution, 5.8% in trade, 5.7% in industry and 5.7% in technologies [Adecco regional report, 2023].
“The first conclusion is that there are many vacancies because job openings exceed the pool of qualified candidates,” Tatay explains, but he also adds nuance. Some profiles remain hard to fill, such as logistics forklift operators, engineers, architects, cybersecurity experts, and even cooks and waitstaff. Reasons vary: sometimes there aren’t enough trained people, and sometimes the offered wages and hours fail to attract candidates. “Some firms can raise offerings, but others cannot,” he notes [Adecco regional report, 2023].
Customers at a clothing store in Benidorm are among the sectors most affected by open positions in the regional economy. david revenge
Uncertainty
Paloma Taltavull, professor of Applied Economic Analysis at the University of Alicante, points to instability as another factor driving rising vacancies. “The current situation creates a broad sense of uncertainty, and employment trends closely track overall cost increases that companies face, including contractor costs,” she says. A rise in unfilled roles can also lead to longer working hours for current staff, a consequence noted by Taltavull [University of Alicante, 2023].
What do unions say about these developments? Paco García, secretary of CC OO for l’Alacantí-Les Marines, urges detailed studies to uncover why Alicante experiences above-average unemployment. He cites a figure of 140,656 unemployed people plus many unfilled positions and calls for a Provincial Economic and Social Council study along with institutions like Ineca to illuminate the causes [CCOO, 2023].
Which occupations have the most vacancies in Spain?
For union leaders, having precise data is essential. It helps forecast future company needs, especially in growth sectors such as renewable energy. García argues for reliable information to guide vocational education plans and workforce development, including plans to raise working conditions. He specifically notes that waiting staff often face travel and lodging costs that deter workers from accepting jobs. Improving training within firms is also crucial to enable workers to move into higher-skilled roles and to address generational shifts in the labor market [CCOO, 2023].
public employment services
Yaissel Sánchez, secretary of the same union, emphasizes the need for companies to engage with public employment services to articulate their needs clearly. This dialogue, he says, helps tailor education policies to real-world requirements. He also stresses that improving working conditions is essential. People want to work but do not want to be exploited, and often it is enough to comply with existing legislation to balance private and professional life. Finally, both unions call for public administration retirements to be followed by timely reemployment calls to restore previous employment rates [Union sources, 2023].