In the second quarter of 2023, Spain’s employed population saw a notable increase, with 603,900 individuals finding work compared to the first quarter, marking a growth of 2.95%. This surge brings the total number of employed individuals to 21,056,700, the highest ever recorded in the survey’s history. On a seasonally adjusted basis, the quarterly variation stands at 1.40%. Over the last year, employment has risen by 588,700 individuals, reflecting a 2.88% increase.
Special Insights into the Impact of COVID-19
Amid the ongoing crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Second Quarter 2023 Active Population Survey (EPA) included specific questions that were initially introduced in the second quarter of 2020 and have been continued since then. These questions pertained to remote work arrangements, the reasons behind an individual’s departure from their last job, unusual working hours (such as weekends and nights), and other atypical work scenarios. Typically, results for these questions are only published on an annual basis. This addition aims to provide a more detailed analysis of the causes behind job losses or work position eliminations, as well as the conditions of employment. Detailed tables related to these variables can be found in INEbase.
Special Breakdown of Inactive Category
The second quarter of 2023’s Active Population Survey also featured a unique breakdown of the inactive category, shedding light on this particular segment of the population.
Key Figures from the Second Quarter 2023 Active Population Survey
- Employed: 21.0567 million, with a year-on-year increase of 2.88%
- Unemployed: 2.7625 million, showing a decrease of 5.38% from the previous year
- Activity Rate: 58.97%, reflecting a 0.26% increase
- Unemployment Rate: 11.60%, with a decrease of 0.89%
These values are represented in thousands. The percentage variation indicates the difference compared to the same period in the previous year.
The employment landscape in Spain continues to evolve despite challenges, with notable growth in the employed population even in the face of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. The second quarter of 2023’s Active Population Survey provides valuable insights into these trends and dynamics.