Spain unemployment hits 9.87% as Social Security loses 162,840 contributors in August

Spanish labor statistics released recently show the country lost 162,840 active contributors to the Social Security system during August. Simultaneously, the number of unemployed individuals increased by 44,419. While unemployment rose at the sector level, the unemployment rate dropped from 10.83% in the previous period to 9.87% by the end of the second quarter of 2026. This figure represents the lowest level recorded since the first quarter of 2008. Annual job creation reached approximately 680,000 positions despite the monthly decline. The data includes nearly 337,917 foreign workers incorporated through regularization processes, bringing their total contribution count to over 3.5 million people. Elma Saiz, Spain's Minister for Inclusion, Social Security and Migration, characterized these developments as historic job growth.