Spain sees significant unemployment rise in 2009

During 2009 unemployment in Spain increased by 794,640 and figures now stand of almost four million - 3,923,602 - a rise of 25.4% compared to the figures from the previous year.

The Ministry for Employment, who produced the report stated that the figures are the highest seen since 1996 when the system for recording and comparing this data was initiated.

The unemployment figure in 2009 was however slightly down on 2008 when the figure increased by 999,416, but 2009 was still the second largest increase seen. For the month of December the increase stood at 60,593, which was down on November’s figures , but job losses were seen in all sectors of the economy.

Throughout 2009 a total of 14,021,837 new employment contracts were issued, which was 15.5% less than that seen the previous year.