Spain’s registered unemployment rose by 44,419 in August 2026 from the previous month to 2.356 million, sharply above expectations for a 15,400 increase. Even so, this was still the lowest unemployment level for any August since 2007.
The rise in joblessness was widespread across sectors, led by services (+28,563), followed by construction (+4,669), industry (+3,731), and people with no previous employment (+8,368). Agriculture was the only sector to record an improvement, with unemployment there falling by 912 people.
Youth unemployment (under 25) also increased, up by 8,168 from July, though it remained below the 170,000 threshold.
Regionally, Catalonia posted the largest increase in unemployment (+14,594), followed by the Madrid region (+6,881) and the Valencian Community (+5,847). Every other region also saw higher unemployment, with the sole exception of Ceuta, where joblessness fell by 148.
Despite the monthly rise, registered unemployment was still 70,593 lower than in August 2025.
