Unemployment rises by 44,419 people in August, reaching a total of 2,355,918 - the lowest figure for this month since 2007

The number of unemployed people registered with the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) offices at the end of August increased by 44,419 compared to the previous month (1.92%).

Total registered unemployment stands at 2,355,918, remaining below the 2.4 million mark. This is the lowest level for an August since 2007, the period prior to the financial crisis.

With respect to August 2025, unemployment fell by 70,593 people (-2.91%).

Unemployment by economic sector

By economic sector, and compared to July, registered unemployment fell in Agriculture by 912 people (-1.30%). It rose in the Services sector by 28,563 people (1.71%), in Construction by 4,669 people (2.89%), and in Industry by 3,731 people (2.10%); among the group with no previous employment, it increased by 8,368 people (3.56%).

Unemployment by sex and age

The number of registered unemployed women rose by 22,741 (1.63%) compared to July, reaching a total of 1,418,757 - its lowest level for the month of August since 2008.

Year-on-year, female unemployment fell by 52,974 (-3.60%) in August. Male unemployment stood at 937,161, an increase of 21,678 (2.37%) compared to July.

Compared to August 2025, male unemployment fell by 17,619 (-1.85%).

Unemployment among young people under 25 years rose in August by 8,168 people (5.12%) compared with the previous month. It remains below the 170,000 mark.

Unemployment by autonomous community

The number of registered unemployed in the Autonomous City of Ceuta fell by 148. It rose in the remaining autonomous communities, led by Catalonia (14,594), the Community of Madrid (6,881), and the Valencian Community (5,847).

New contracts

The total number of contracts registered during August was 1,144,827. Of these, 440,274 were permanent contracts, representing 38.46% of all new contracts.

Unemployment benefits in July

The total number of beneficiaries at the end of July was 1,857,263.

The coverage rate of the unemployment protection system in July 2026 was 86.75%.

The average monthly investment per beneficiary - excluding the agricultural subsidy for Andalusia and Extremadura - was €1,159 in July 2026, representing an increase of €36.8 (3.3%) compared to the same month of the previous year.

The total investment in benefits in July 2026 amounted to €2.115 billion.

Non official translation