UNEMPLOYMENT IN SPAIN

Evolution of the unemployment rate in Spain by region (2007-2014)

Source: Economically Active Population Survey. Spanish Statistical Office, INE

Unemployment is one of the greatest concerns within Spanish society. After having reached a minimum of around 8% in 2007, with the Spanish economic crisis that began in 2008 the rate of unemployment grew quickly reaching almost 26% in 2013.
Unemployment rates vary according to the different regions. It is a big problem in the southern regions of the country, like Andalucía, Canarias or Extremadura, especially in the least industrialized areas. Unemployment in these regions was higher than 30% in 2014.
Although unemployment in the northern regions such as Navarra or País Vasco is much lower than in the rest of the country, the figures are still very worrying: around 15% in 2014.