The unemployment registry in the province of Jaén during May showed a downward trend, with a reduction of 500 people (-1.56%), bringing the total number of unemployed to 31,627. This figure represents 4,196 fewer people compared to the same period last year, marking an 11.71% year-on-year decrease.
The drop in unemployment has been distributed across all economic sectors of the province. The services sector has been the main driver of this reduction, with 202 fewer unemployed, followed by agriculture (-85), industry (-63), and construction (-44).
Despite the improvement in unemployment figures, hiring in the province of Jaén shows signs of concern. In May, 18,441 contracts were signed, representing a 4.82% decrease compared to April and 1.06% less than a year ago. Permanent hiring has seen a minimal growth of 1.02% year-on-year, while temporary employment continues to constitute nearly 70% of all registered contracts.
Regarding Social Security affiliation, Jaén closed May with 238,569 affiliates, 142 more than in April (+0.06%). Although this figure breaks the trend of losses from previous months, the growth is significantly lower than the Andalusian average (+0.49%) and provinces like Málaga (+1.31%) or Cádiz (+1.30%). In year-on-year terms, affiliation has increased by 1,939 people (+0.82%), one of the most modest increases in Andalusia.
The CCOO union describes the figures as "moderately positive," highlighting the second consecutive decrease in unemployment. However, they warn about the structural problems in the provincial labor market, the slower recovery speed compared to other territories, and the excessive dependence on seasonal activities. They point out that inequalities persist, especially for women, who represent 66.6% of the unemployed (21,063 out of 31,627). Youth unemployment has also decreased, but 3,109 people under 25 remain registered as unemployed.
“"Hiring continues to decrease, permanent contracts are barely advancing, and Jaén continues to grow below the Andalusian average. We still have over 31,000 unemployed people, and two out of three are women. The problem is no longer just how much employment is created, but what quality that employment has."
“"We need a change in the productive model that generates economic activity throughout the year, strengthens industry, promotes sectors with higher added value, and allows for the creation of stable employment with rights. Jaén cannot continue to depend exclusively on temporary campaigns to sustain its labor market."
