Catalonia recorded its best May on record for employment, adding 50,034 new contributors to the Social Security system, according to data released by the Ministries of Inclusion and Labour. The region now has 3.97 million employed people, placing it close to the four million mark.
Across Spain, Social Security gained 231,975 contributors in May, taking the national total to 22.3 million. The ministries said this was the second-best May figure in the historical series. Unemployment also fell by 36,323 people nationally, to 2.3 million.
Migrant workers were a major factor in the rise. They accounted for more than half of the new Social Security contributors in May, now make up 15% of all affiliates in Spain, and have contributed more than a third of all jobs created over the past five years.
Within Catalonia, the gains were spread across the territory. Barcelona added 27,448 contributors, up 0.9% from April. Lleida posted the largest relative rise, with 7,552 new workers, a 3.6% increase. Girona added 8,174 contributors, up 2.15%, and Tarragona gained 6,858, up 1.9%.
The article also notes that the Catalan economy has had a strong spring in labour terms, helped by a good Easter period and favourable weather. It says this came despite some recent quieter months and ongoing employment regulation files in strategic industrial companies. More Catalonia news
Looking ahead, the employment trend is expected to continue in the coming months, supported by the usual seasonal hiring pattern and the expected entry of more migrants into the labour market as they secure work permits. For the official labour data, see the Ministry of Inclusion and the Spanish government.
