Unemployment rose in October, but jobs hit a record

In October 43,128 more people registered as unemployed with SEPE, bringing the total to 2,422,633 — the lowest October figure since 2007, according to the Labour Ministry. At the same time, RTVE reports, the number of people in work rose to a record 22.62 million.

The Labour Ministry published its October data on 4 November: registered unemployment rose by 43,128 people (1.81%) in a month to 2,422,633. Compared with October 2025, there are 21,133 fewer unemployed. The ministry stresses that this is the lowest October level since 2007.

📍 More jobs, and more jobless too

According to RTVE, Social Security gained 186,612 contributors in October, reaching a record 22.62 million, and 784,573 more than a year earlier. There is no contradiction here, RTVE explains: more people want to work, so some find a job straight away and others register as unemployed. Self-employed workers are at a record 3.5 million.

📍 Where it rose and where it fell

Most of the new jobless are in services: up 26,853. After the summer season, RTVE reports, hotels and restaurants lost 44,974 workers, while education added 165,994 with the new school year. Construction barely changed: just 102 more unemployed in a month. Among under-25s, unemployment rose by 15,832.

📍 Valencia region in second place

Unemployment rose in October in all 17 autonomous communities. The biggest increases were in Catalonia (up 8,174), then the Valencia region, which includes the province of Alicante (up 6,716), and Castile and León (up 4,404). The ministry summary gives no separate figures for the province of Alicante.

📍 Contracts and benefits

In October 1,491,069 employment contracts were signed, 645,173 of them permanent, or 43.27%. In September 1,763,649 people were receiving unemployment benefit; according to the ministry, coverage reached 80.82%, the highest for a September on record.