The figure for September is the worst for 15 years.

Unemployment in Spain rose by 95,817 in September, making it the worst such month for 15 years. The 2.32% increase takes the total number of unemployed to 4,226,744.

Jobs were lost in all areas with the exception of agriculture and construction, and only the regions of La Rioja, Castilla-La Mancha and the Canaries escaped the job losses. Women were affected more than men, with female unemployment up 53,908 with respect to August, while 41,909 male jobs were lost. Minister for Tax and the Economy, Elena Salgado, has said that she still hopes for some improvement before the end of the year. 

Speaking at the meeting of the EU finance ministers in Luxembourg, Salgado said ‘The unemployment numbers for September have been up for several years, but it is true that this year the data is somewhat worst than last year, but in any case we will continue with our same plans’.

The Secretaries of State for Employment, Mari Luz Rodríguez and for Social Security, Octavio Granado, have blamed part of the rise in unemployment on the ‘tough and intense’ cuts made in the regions and town halls in health and education.

Source:www.typicallyspanish.com