Employers celebrate unemployment figures but warn of lack of workers in Balearic Islands

PalmThe main employers' associations in the Balearic Islands (CAEB and Pimem) have applauded the reduction in unemployment during the month of May in the Balearic Islands, despite having warned of a shortage of workers. The president of CAEB, Carmen Planas, has applauded that the labor market has maintained its strength despite the usual cooling after Easter and has pointed to the confidence of the business fabric that international uncertainty and the end of some public aid will not affect consumption or the economic evolution of the season.

For his part, the president of the business federation of small and medium-sized enterprises, Jordi Mora, has described the affiliation and unemployment figures as "too good," while warning that they reflect a very strained labor market due to the scarcity of labor. The Mallorcan employers' association has also pointed to the difficulties that numerous small and medium-sized enterprises are experiencing in completing their staff during the high season, a situation that, as he stated, can increase business costs and compromise the growth and viability of some businesses.

Unemployment drops by 939 people in the Balearic Islands

Registered unemployment in the public employment services offices of the Balearic Islands decreased by 939 people during May compared to April, a reduction of 3.83%, according to data published this Tuesday by the Ministry of Labor and Social Economy. With this decrease, the total number of unemployed people in the Archipelago stands at 23,607. The year-on-year comparison also reflects positive evolution. In relation to May 2025, the Balearic Islands register 1,752 fewer unemployed people, representing a decrease of 6.91%.

By sectors, services continue to concentrate the largest volume of people in unemployment, with 16,924 unemployed, although the figure was reduced by 873 people compared to the previous month. Construction has 2,893 unemployed, 61 fewer than in April; industry registers 1,110 unemployed, 28 fewer; and agriculture, with 285 unemployed people, is the sector with the fewest unemployed after a reduction of 18 people.

Regarding the distribution by sex, of the 23,607 people registered as unemployed during May, 13,485 are women and 10,122 are men. Youth unemployment, among those under 25 years of age, stands at 2,450 people, of whom 1,365 are men and 1,085 are women. Unemployment among the foreign population also experienced a favorable evolution. During May, 4,809 unemployed foreign nationals were registered, a figure that represents a decrease of 5.5% compared to April and 3.76% compared to the same period last year.

Regarding hiring, during May, 48,744 contracts were formalized in the Balearic Islands, 3.23% less than a year earlier. Of the total, 36,719 were permanent contracts, with a year-on-year decrease of 4.26%, while temporary contracts reached 12,025, with a slight increase of 0.07%. The data confirms the positive evolution of the Balearic labor market at the start of the high tourist season, with a generalized reduction in unemployment in all economic sectors and an improvement in both youth employment and the labor situation of the foreign population.