Unemployment rises by 0.99% in the Community of Madrid in the last month, with a 4.39% increase in contracts compared to last year

On October 2, 2026, the Community of Madrid reported an increase in unemployment, with 283,285 individuals registered as unemployed, which is 2,773 more than in August. In September, a total of 241,722 contracts were signed in the region, marking a 4.39% increase compared to the same month in 2025.

More than half of the contracts signed were permanent, totaling 126,432, which represents a 7.61% rise from the previous year. The number of unemployed individuals registered at public employment offices in the Community of Madrid rose by 2,773 during September, reflecting a 0.99% increase from the previous month.

In terms of seasonal workers, the number of unemployed in this category has also increased, although at a lower rate than the overall unemployment figures. Year-on-year, this sector has seen a decrease of 0.56%.

This upward trend in unemployment has been observed in 16 out of the 19 Autonomous Communities and Cities in Spain over the past month. Compared to the same period last year, unemployment in Madrid has increased by 5,229 individuals, representing a slight rise of 1.88%.

Of the total unemployed in the Community of Madrid, 40.33% (114,254) are men and 59.66% (169,031) are women. Among the youth under 25 years old, there are 20,807 unemployed individuals, with 53.75% being men.

Sectoral Analysis

By sector, the highest number of unemployed individuals is found in the Services sector, which accounts for 228,889 people, or 45.36% of the newly unemployed. The Construction sector has 17,203 unemployed, an increase of six individuals. The Industry sector has 14,604 unemployed, up by 36, while Agriculture has 1,687, increasing by 53.

Additionally, the number of unemployed individuals without prior employment has risen from 19,942 to 20,902. Among this group, 58.9% are aged between 30 and 44 years (5,767) and 6,561 are over 44 years old.

Unemployment Among Foreigners

Unemployment among foreigners in the Community of Madrid has reached 55,599 individuals in September, an increase of 2,472, or 4.65%, compared to the previous month. Of this total, 16,379 are from EU countries, where unemployment has decreased by 59 individuals, while it has risen by 2,528 among non-EU nationals, increasing from 36,692 to 39,220.

Positive Trends in Hiring

The hiring landscape shows positive developments. In September, 241,722 contracts were registered in the Community of Madrid, an increase of 10,157 compared to the same month last year, representing a year-on-year growth of 4.39%. Notably, the number of permanent contracts has also increased, with 126,432 permanent contracts formalized in September, accounting for 52.3% of all contracts registered in the region. This marks an increase of 8,937 permanent contracts, or 7.61% year-on-year.

In Spain overall, the number of registered unemployed individuals at the State Public Employment Service (SEPE) increased by 44,419 in August compared to the previous month (1.92%). The total registered unemployment now stands at 2,355,918, remaining below the 2.4 million mark, which is the lowest level for August since 2007, prior to the financial crisis.

By economic sector, unemployment decreased in Agriculture by 912 individuals (-1.30%), while it increased in Services by 28,563 individuals (1.71%), in Construction by 4,669 individuals (2.89%), and in Industry.