Occupation grew by 25,700 people during the first trimester of 2016

Barcelona (CNA).- There were 8,600 fewer unemployed in Catalonia at the end of the first trimester of 2016. This set the unemployment rate at 17.42%, the lowest since the third trimester of 2010, according to the latest Active Population Survey (EPA). In total, there were 660,000 unemployed in Catalonia at the end of March, 98,100 fewer than in the first trimester 2015. This figure represents a 3.45% annual increase in the occupation rate in comparison to the same period last year. Occupation grew in the industry sector and fell in the services, construction and agricultural sector.In the whole of Spain, unemployment rose by 0.25% this past trimester, setting the unemployment rate at 21% and totalling 4,791,400 people without a job.

The number of people active in Catalonia reached 3.79 million during the first quarter, representing a growth of 17,100 persons compared with the previous quarter and equivalent to an increase of 0.45%. Over the course of the year, the growth of the labour force was 6,300 people, a 0.17% increase.

By gender, the male employment rate stands at 67.44%, more than ten points above the female, which is in the 57.38%. Regarding unemployment, the unemployment rate for men stood at 16.25%, while the rate for women is at 18.71%.

Spain’s unemployment rate rises

In the whole of Spains, the number of unemployed people was up to 11,900 this quarter, equivalent to an increase of 0.25% quarterly and stands at 4,791,400. The unemployment rate stands at 21.00%, representing one tenth more unemployed people than in the previous quarter. In the past year this rate has fallen by 2.78 points. The number of employees reduced by 64,600 people in the first quarter of 2016 compared to the quarter last year, representing a drop of 0.36%, and stood at 18,029,600. Employment has grown by 574,800 people in the last 12 months, representing an annual growth of 3.29%.

By sectors, employment in all of Spain increased this quarter in industry (over 18,000 employees) and descended services (less than 53,400), construction (26,900) and agriculture (2,300). In the past year, employment has risen in several sectors including services (over 503,500 employees), agriculture (60,000) and industry (40,300), while construction dropped (29,000 fewer employed).

By type of contract, full-time employment down 51,700 people this quarter and the number of part-time employees do at 12.900. In the last 12 months full-time employment has increased by 580,600, while the number of part-time employees decreased by 5,800.