Spain hits a record 22.6 million workers paying into social security
Spain's social security system ended October with an average of 22,624,165 registered workers, its highest level ever and 784,573 more than a year earlier. Temporary contracts among under-30s have fallen to 19.9%, from 51.7% five years ago. Part of the rise comes from an extraordinary legalisation of immigrants. Registered unemployment, at 2,422,633, is the lowest for an October since 2007.
Spain has never had so many people working and paying into social security. In October the system recorded an average of 22,624,165 registered workers, the highest on record, according to the Ministry of Inclusion. That is 186,612 more than in September, the biggest rise for any October, and 784,573 more than a year earlier.
Registered unemployment stands at 2,422,633, the lowest figure for an October since 2007.
Fewer temporary contracts for young people
Beyond the record, the change people feel most is stability. Temporary contracts among under-30s have fallen to 19.9%, from 51.7% five years ago. Across all workers the rate is 12.1%.
Women account for 10,712,135 registered workers, 47.4% of the total, up 367,537 in a year.
The weight of the legalisation drive
Part of the rise comes from Spain’s extraordinary legalisation of undocumented immigrants: by the end of October, 490,586 people linked to it were registered as working, mostly from Colombia and Venezuela. Foreign workers now total 3,699,878, or 16.4% of the workforce.
November’s figures will show whether the pace holds.
