Spain's job creation lowers unemployment to 9.87 percent

Spain added 486,000 jobs in the second quarter, bringing total employment to a record high of nearly 22.8 million workers and pushing the unemployment rate down to 9.87%, its lowest level since before the 2008 financial crisis.

Data from the latest Labour Force Survey (EPA) shows that foreign workers significantly contributed to this growth, filling nearly half of the newly created positions. The labor participation rate among foreign residents reached 70%, standing 13 percentage points higher than that of Spanish nationals.

While hiring expanded across both the private and public sectors, the overall growth contrasted with a contraction in independent work, as Spain lost 42,900 self-employed positions during the same period.

Sources: El Mundo, La Vanguardia.