Unemployment grows again in the Balearic Islands

PalmaRegistered unemployment in the Balearic Islands increased by 3,058 people during October compared to September, an increase of 11.52% that brings the total number of unemployed to 29,605. The figure is also 6.94% higher than in the same month last year, with 1,920 more unemployed people, according to data published this Wednesday by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy.

The increase in unemployment is mainly concentrated in the services sector, which adds 2,510 more unemployed people than the previous month and reaches 21,031 unemployed. Unemployment also increased in industry, with 92 more people and a total of 1,286, and in agriculture, which recorded 20 more unemployed, reaching 319. In contrast, construction slightly reduced the number of unemployed, with 16 fewer, down to 3,447.

By gender, women continue to represent the majority of registered unemployment: they account for 16,336 of the 29,605 unemployed people, compared to 13,269 men. Among those under 25, the number of unemployed reached 4,634, of whom 2,513 are men and 2,121 are women.

Unemployment also increased among the foreign population. In October, there were 8,525 foreign people registered in the unemployment lists, 29.80% more than the previous month and 41.78% more than a year ago.

The Balearic Islands lose more than 31,000 affiliates in one month

Social Security data also reflect the decline in employment after the tourist season. The Balearic Islands registered 650,876 affiliates in October, 31,610 fewer than the previous month, a drop of 4.63%. Nevertheless, the figure is 5.24% higher than that of the same month last year, with 32,405 more contributors.

Of the total affiliates, 538,413 belong to the general Social Security regime. Of these, 9,998 are registered as domestic workers and 2,692 as agricultural workers. In addition, the Islands have 109,483 people enrolled in the self-employed regime and 2,981 in the maritime workers regime.

Regarding temporary redundancy plans (ERTO), in October there were 77 affected workers in the Balearic Islands: 38 women and 39 men.

More than 29,000 contracts in October

During the month of October, 29,164 contracts were formalized in the Islands, 3.79% more than in the same period of the previous year. Of these, 18,275 were permanent and 10,889 were temporary.

The data thus depict a scenario of employment decline compared to the months of greatest tourist activity, with an increase in unemployment and a drop in affiliations in monthly terms. Despite this, both the number of contributors and the number of contracts are higher than the records of a year ago.