Unemployment in Spain rose by 70,900 people between January and March 2022, which is almost 2.3% more than in the previous quarter at the end of 2021, while employment fell by 100,200 jobs (-0.5%), its smallest decline in a first quarter since 2019, when 93,400 jobs were lost. Let's have a closer look at Spain's unemployment rate in 2022 and Spain's unemployment rate by year.
Unemployment rate in Spain 2022
At the end of March 2022, the total number of unemployed stood at 3,174,700 people and the number of employed at 20,084,700, according to the Spanish Labour Force Survey (Encuesta de Población Activa, EPA) for the first quarter published by the Spanish National Statistics Institute (INE).
The increase in unemployment in the first quarter of 2022 contrasts with the fall of 65,800 unemployed people recorded in the same period of 2021. In the first three months of 2020, when the Covid-19 pandemic hit, unemployment rose by 121,000 people, more than it did in the first quarter of this year.
The unemployment rate rose by three tenths of a percentage point in the first quarter to 13.65%, while the activity rate fell by just over one tenth of a percentage point to 58.5%, after the number of people in work fell by 29,400 between January and March (-0.1%). However, in year-on-year terms the unemployment rate fell by more than two points. In fact, INE calculates that in the last 12 months, unemployment has fallen by 479,200 people (-13.12%).
One million households in Spain with all members unemployed
Households with all members unemployed rose by 29,000 in the first quarter, 2.8% over the previous quarter, to 1,052,900. However, over the last year, households with all members unemployed have fallen by 173,300, representing a relative decline of 14.1%.
Between January and March 2022, households with all members in employment fell by 22,300 (-0.2%) to a total of 11,049,700 households. However, in the last year, households with all members in employment have increased by 630,800 (+6%).
On the other hand, the INE highlights that households with at least one employed member rose by 23,400 in the first quarter (+0.17%), to 13.7 million, while in the last year they increased by 235,500 (+1.7%). And households with no employed members rose by 26,100 between January and March (+0.5%) to 5.28 million. Over the last year, these households have fallen by 60,300 (-1.1%).
Spain unemployment rate by region 2022
Valencia, Cantabria, Andalusia and Catalonia were the only Spanish Autonomous Communities that saw reduced unemployment in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the last quarter of 2021.
Compared with the first quarter of 2021, unemployment fell in all the autonomous communities, with the exception of the Balearic Islands, Ceuta and Melilla. In this case, the year-on-year decrease by Autonomous Community was 13.12%, with 479,200 fewer unemployed.
Unemployment fell by 10.66% in the Autonomous Community of Valencia, with 37,900 fewer unemployed. In Cantabria, the fall was 9.3%, with 2,900 fewer unemployed, while in Andalusia, the fall in unemployment in the first quarter of the year was 5.88%, with 45,900 fewer unemployed. In Catalonia, unemployment also fell, albeit more moderately, by 0.31% and 1,200 fewer unemployed between January and March.
In the first quarter of the year, the Balearic Islands was the region where unemployment rose the most, with an increase of 24.54% compared with the previous three months and 23,100 more unemployed people. Increases were also recorded in Asturias (19.29%, with 8,500 more unemployed), Madrid (19.17% and 68,500 more unemployed), or Ceuta (18.88% and 1,900 unemployed).
Spain unemployment rate 2007-2022
Farewell to gas boilers in Spain: replacement systems and costs
Gas boilers, responsible for 10% of global CO₂ emissions, are being phased out across the EU from 2025 under energy efficiency directives. Cleaner alternatives like heat pumps and biomass systems offer savings, subsidies, and increased property value.
Spanish economic growth powers property market momentum
Spain’s economy continues to outperform expectations, strengthening the nation’s property market and inspiring confidence among both domestic and international buyers.
Changing from NIE to DNI in Spain: everything you need to know
If you’re a foreign national in Spain with a Foreigner Identification Number (NIE by its Spanish acronym) and have recently acquired Spanish citizenship, you may be wondering how to change your NIE to a National Identity Document (or DNI) to update and regularise your administrative status. In this article, we explain all the steps you need to follow.
Spain plans major increase in self-employed contributions from 2026
The Spanish government is set to significantly raise social security contributions for self-employed workers, known in Spanish as "autónomos", starting in 2026. This proposed reform aims to strengthen the pension system and align contributions with actual earnings, but it has sparked controversy among freelancers and self-employed associations.
The wealthiest towns in Spain: Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) leads again
In 2023, Pozuelo de Alarcón (Madrid) retained its position as the Spanish town with the highest average declared gross income for the fifth consecutive year, reaching €88,011 – a 3.2% increase on 2022.
IBAN in Spain explained
Every time we make a bank transfer, an alphanumeric code appears – one we might overlook but which is crucial to ensuring the money reaches its intended destination without error: the IBAN (International Bank Account Number).
Spain's housing prices set to rise 7% in 2025, surpassing €1,900/m²
The Spanish residential market enters 2025 with a renewed surge in prices. According to donpiso, the average home value is set to rise 7% over the year, surpassing €1,900 per square metre. Driving this trend are moderate interest rates, strong demand and a limited supply of new homes.