In Girona province, Alt Empordà and La Selva recorded the strongest year-on-year growth in Social Security affiliations in May, both up 2.7%, according to the latest data from the Institute of Statistics of Catalonia, Idescat. That was slightly above the Catalan average of 2.5%.
Across Catalonia, affiliations rose by 90,885 compared with May last year, reaching 3,793,500 workers. Growth was recorded in every region and in Aran, with the largest increases in Aran, Baix Penedès, Osona and Segrià.
Within Girona province, El Gironès remained the area with the most affiliates, at 96,675, but its 2.4% rise was just below the Catalan average. La Selva reached 85,045 affiliates and Alt Empordà 67,785, while Baix Empordà had 64,745, La Garrotxa 29,645, Pla de l'Estany 16,335, Cerdanya 9,450 and Ripollès 11,430.
Seasonal activity also helped coastal areas. Baix Empordà and La Selva were among the Catalan regions with the biggest month-on-month increases compared with April, up 3.2% and 3.1% respectively. In Girona city, the figure was more modest, with 49,545 affiliates, a 1.4% year-on-year rise, one of the lowest among Catalan municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants.
At municipal level, affiliations increased or stayed stable in 803 Catalan towns, or 85% of the total. The remaining 144 municipalities saw falls. Idescat said all municipalities with more than 50,000 inhabitants posted year-on-year growth, with Manresa leading that group, followed by Vilanova i la Geltrú, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Viladecans and Sabadell. For more Catalonia-wide coverage, see our news page.
By gender, the increase was stronger among men, with 50,145 more affiliates, a 2.6% rise, compared with women, who added 40,740 affiliates, up 2.3%. By age, growth was strongest among people under 30 and those aged 55 or over. Idescat also said the sector figures are affected by the new Catalan Classification of Economic Activities, CCAE-2025, which replaced the previous structure used until December 2025.
