Spain: jobs and pay

What is Spain's unemployment rate?

Spain's unemployment rate was 9.87% in the second quarter of 2026, 0.96 points lower than in the first quarter, according to INE's labour force survey (EPA) of 28 July 2026. There were 2,495,300 unemployed people, 57,800 fewer than a year earlier.

The EPA is a household survey and counts people without work who are looking for a job and available to start. It differs from registered unemployment published monthly by the Public State Employment Service (SEPE), which counts people signed on at employment offices.

Official sources: INE: labour force survey (EPA), Q2 2026

How many people are in work in Spain?

22,779,000 people were in work in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, 486,000 more than in the first quarter, according to INE's labour force survey (EPA). Employment grew by 510,200 over the year.

Second-quarter employment usually rises as tourism and summer work pick up; seasonally adjusted, the quarterly increase was 0.54%. The labour force, people working or looking for work, reached 25,274,300.

Official sources: INE: labour force survey (EPA), Q2 2026

How much does it cost to employ a worker in Spain?

Labour costs averaged €3,388.15 per worker per month in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, 4.0% more than a year earlier, according to INE's quarterly labour cost survey. Wage costs were €2,512.68, also up 4.0%.

Labour costs include wages and other costs such as compulsory social security contributions, which rose 4.2%. The figures are averages across full-time and part-time workers, so changes in the mix of jobs affect them.

Official sources: INE: quarterly labour cost survey (ETCL), Q2 2026

What is the average monthly wage in Spain?

The average wage cost per worker in Spain was €2,512.68 a month in the second quarter of 2026, up 4.0% on a year earlier, according to INE's quarterly labour cost survey.

This is the gross amount employers pay in wages and salaries, before income tax and the worker's social security contributions, averaged over all workers including part-timers. It is therefore lower than full-time pay and higher than take-home pay.

Official sources: INE: quarterly labour cost survey (ETCL), Q2 2026

How many job vacancies are there in Spain?

There were 151,736 job vacancies in Spain in the second quarter of 2026, according to INE's quarterly labour cost survey.

Vacancies are posts that employers are actively trying to fill. Compared with 2.5 million unemployed people in the same quarter, according to the labour force survey, the number is small, so mismatches between skills, location and available jobs matter as much as the total.

Official sources: INE: quarterly labour cost survey (ETCL), Q2 2026 · INE: labour force survey (EPA), Q2 2026

How much is the minimum wage in Spain?

The latest figure from the ILO, for 2026, is 1,425 EUR a month. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012.

How much do workers in Spain earn on average?

In 2025, average monthly earnings of employees in Spain was $3,574 a month, according to the ILO. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2012. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was $3,252 a month, and Spain placed 15th highest of 32. World rank, highest first: 17th of 57.

How high is unemployment in Spain?

The ILO puts the unemployment rate in Spain at 10.4% in 2025. The peak was 26.1% in 2013 and the low 8.2% in 2007. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 5.5%, and Spain placed 7th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 31st highest.

How many young people in Spain are unemployed?

According to the ILO, unemployment among 15 to 24 year olds in Spain was 24.7% in 2025. Since 2005 it has ranged from 17.9% (2006) to 55.4% (2013). Europe & Central Asia median: 14.2%; Spain is 6th highest of 47. Worldwide: 28th of 174.

How many people in Spain are working or looking for work?

In 2025, the labour force participation rate in Spain was 57.4%, according to the ILO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 56.4% (2020) to 59.4% (2012). It is 34th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 60.3%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 122nd highest.

What share of women in Spain are in the labour force?

The ILO puts the labour force participation rate for women in Spain at 52.8% in 2025. The peak was 53.2% in 2024 and the low 46.2% in 2005. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 54.6%, and Spain placed 28th highest of 47. Worldwide: 94th of 174.

How many people in Spain are employed?

The ILO puts the employment to population ratio in Spain at 51.5% in 2025. The peak was 53.5% in 2007 and the low 43.7% in 2013. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 56.6%, and Spain placed 35th highest of 47. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 128th highest.

How common is self-employment in Spain?

According to the ILO, the share of workers who are own-account or contributing family workers in Spain was 10.1% in 2025. No year since 2005 has been lower. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 11.0%, and Spain placed 27th highest of 47. Worldwide: 139th of 174.

What share of workers in Spain earn a wage or salary?

85.5%: that is the share of workers who are paid employees in Spain for 2025, according to the ILO. That is the highest since at least 2005. It is 24th highest of 47 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 85.5%. Of 174 countries with 2025 data, 38th highest.