With 152,000 more national insurance contributors, the highest growth in the historical series was recorded in March, and the figure exceeded 20.5 million

The number of national insurance contributors increased by 151,943 people in March in seasonally adjusted terms and exceeded 20.5 million (20,532,371). The growth in employment in March is exceptional and closes a quarter in which 291,477 people have been added to the labour force, which is the largest increase in a first quarter of the year on record.

Employment in innovative activities remains buoyant

Employment growth is notable in high value-added sectors, such as Information Technology and Telecommunications, where the number of employees has grown by 20.8% compared to that recorded before the pandemic, and Professional, Scientific and Technical Activities, which grew by 12.4%. One out of every four contributors enters these highly productive sectors.

All autonomous communities record higher employment levels than before the pandemic. Of particular note is the increase in contributors in the southern half of the country and in the groups of islands, with an increase in employment of over 5.9%.

2.6 million more contributors on permanent contracts

Fifteen months after the entry into force of the labour reform, its positive effects on stabilising employment and improving its quality continue to be patent. In March, the percentage of contributors on temporary contracts fell to an all-time low of 14% of contributors (before the reform, the average was 30%).

Overall, there are now 2.6 million more contributors on permanent contracts now than in December 2021, the last month before the reform came into force.

Another indicator of increased stability is the increase in the average length of contracts. Between January and March this year, they have grown by 47 days compared to the same period in 2019, the last comparable year prior to the impact of the pandemic.

On the other hand, the number of workers undergoing Temporary Redundancy remains at minimum levels at around 15,000 people.

Young people

Average employment growth among young people is more than double the average. Specifically, in 2022 it was 8%, compared to 4% of the total number of contributors. This increase is particularly noticeable in the most productive sectors, such as Health and Social Work Activities, Computer and Telecommunications Activities and Professional and Technical Activities. In the case of those under 30 years old, temporary employment has reduced by 32 points from its pre-reform level, from 53% to 21%.

Average contributors

Finally, without the seasonal adjustment, the average number of national insurance contributors increased by 206,410 in March, a month-on-month increase of 1.02%. This is the highest average increase in contributors in a month of March in the entire historical series.

The average number of contributors thus stands at 20,376,552 (10,778,350 men and 9,598,202 women), which is the highest figure in the historical series. This is 542,049 more than a year ago, representing year-on-year growth of 2.73%.

Finally, it should be noted that the dynamism in the labour market is helping to strengthen the pension system, with the ratio of contributors to pensioners reaching 2.41, the highest level of the decade.

Non official translation