canary islands unemployment may 2026

Canary Islands unemployment falls below 145,000 for first time since 2007

Unemployment falls for third time in 2026

The Canary Islands recorded its third month of falling unemployment in 2026 this May, according to figures released on Tuesday by the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy. The same positive trend was seen in February and April this year, although January and March both saw increases in joblessness.

This latest positive result for May is entirely due to net job creation: the number of new Social Security affiliations rose by 1,076 compared to the previous month, a monthly increase of 0.11 per cent. This brings the total number of people registered with Social Security in the Canary Islands to 963,972. However, this figure remains some way off the all-time record of 967,275 affiliations, set in December 2025.

Net job creation drives fall

The reduction in the number of unemployed people in May was driven by net job creation, with 1,076 new Social Security affiliates, despite an increase in the number of economically active people – those on the official list of jobseekers. There were 313 more active people in May, which explains why the fall in unemployment was smaller in absolute terms: 763 fewer people out of work (a monthly decrease of 0.52 per cent). This figure represents the difference between the two variables. In April, the total number of unemployed in the Canary Islands also fell, but by a slightly larger margin of 1,138 people.

The year-on-year decrease in unemployment was 4.98 per cent, with 7,573 fewer people out of work compared to May 2025. As a result, the total number of unemployed people in the islands stood at 144,598, below the 145,000 threshold for the first time since December 2007.

Provincial breakdown

In the province of Las Palmas, registered unemployment fell by 397 people in May, a monthly drop of 0.53 per cent, and by 4,541 people year-on-year, a decrease of 5.75 per cent. In Santa Cruz de Tenerife, the number of unemployed reached 70,150 at the end of May, after falling by 366 people (0.52 per cent) compared to April and by 3,032 people year-on-year (4.14 per cent compared to May 2025).

Breakdown by sector

By sector, in May the Canary Islands recorded: 2,329 unemployed in agriculture; 5,290 in industry; 11,632 in construction; 114,583 in services; and 10,764 people with no previous employment.

Social Security affiliations rise

The Canary Islands gained 1,076 new Social Security affiliates in May, a 0.11 per cent increase, bringing the total number of contributors to 963,972, according to the Ministry. On a year-on-year basis, affiliations have risen by 25,804 people in the islands, an increase of 2.75 per cent.

By province, this indicator rose by 472 people in Las Palmas in May, reaching 502,720, while in Santa Cruz de Tenerife the monthly increase in Social Security affiliates was 603 people, bringing the total number of contributors to 461,252. Affiliations have increased in both provinces over the past year, by 12,538 and 13,267 people respectively.

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