Unemployment falls by 10,000 people in the Balearic Islands and employment reaches a record in a third quarter

PalmaUnemployment fell by 10,000 people in the Balearic Islands during the third quarter of 2026, a decrease of 22.5% compared to the previous quarter, bringing the number of unemployed to 34,400. According to data from the Labour Force Survey (EPA), published by the National Statistics Institute (INE), the Islands have seen two consecutive quarters of unemployment reduction and have recorded the lowest figure of unemployed people in a third quarter since 2007.

At the same time, employment grew by 26,900 people between July and September, reaching 708,700 employed. This is the highest number of people with jobs in a third quarter since records began. For its part, the active population—people who work or are looking for work—increased by 17,000 people, or 2.34%, to 743,100.

6,800 fewer unemployed people in a year

The year-on-year comparison also reflects a positive evolution of the labor market in the Islands. In the last twelve months, unemployment has been reduced by 6,800 people, a 16.5%, while 36,200 jobs have been created, an increase of 5.4%. During this same period, the active population has increased by 29,400 people, a 4.1%.

The reduction in unemployment has been especially intense among women. During the third quarter, the number of unemployed women decreased by 10,900, a 39.6%, to 16,600. Among men, the decrease was 900 people, a 5.3%, to 17,800.

Regarding those under 25 years of age, unemployment fell by 2,600 people during the quarter. The youth unemployment rate stood at 10.31%.

More permanent contracts and growth in the private sector

The INE data also show an increase in salaried employment, especially in permanent hiring. During the third quarter, the number of workers with a permanent contract increased by 26,500 people, while salaried employees with a temporary contract did so by 6,300.

In total, the Islands recorded 610,600 salaried employees, of whom 538,100 had a permanent contract —88.13%— and 72,500, a temporary one —11.87%—.

The private sector concentrated the bulk of job creation, with 23,000 new jobs, 4.01% more than the previous quarter, reaching 596,600 employed people. The public sector, for its part, added 3,900 workers, an increase of 3.6%, to 112,100.

Full-time employment also grew, with 31,200 more people, 5.1%, to 642,900. In contrast, the number of people working part-time decreased by 4,300, 6.13%, to 65,800.

Unemployment falls in services, but increases in industry and construction

By sectors, the most pronounced decrease in unemployment occurred among people seeking their first job or who had left their last occupation more than a year ago, with 7,100 fewer unemployed, a 33.97%.

In services, the number of people without work decreased by 4,200, a 20.19%. In contrast, unemployment increased by 1,100 people in industry, an increase of 220%, and by 300 in construction, a 14.29%.

The Balearic Islands, among the communities that create the most employment

Compared to the rest of the State, the Balearic Islands were one of the communities where employment grew the most during the third quarter, with 26,900 new jobs. Only the Canary Islands, with 38,100, recorded a higher increase. Galicia occupied the third position, with 21,400 more employed people.

Regarding unemployment, the Balearics recorded the highest decrease in the entire State, with 10,000 fewer unemployed people, followed by Castile and León, with 7,200 fewer, and the Canary Islands, with 4,300 fewer.