Unemployment in Vall d'Albaida Drops 4.4% Driven by Industry and Textiles

Ontinyent and l'Olleria lead job reduction, while agriculture shows a slight increase.

Generic image of industrial gears, symbolizing economic growth and sector reinvention.
IA

Generic image of industrial gears, symbolizing economic growth and sector reinvention.

The Vall d'Albaida region registered a 4.4% decrease in the number of unemployed people during March 2026, compared to the previous year, driven by the industrial and textile sectors.

Labor market data for the Vall d'Albaida in March 2026 reveals moderate optimism, with a year-on-year reduction of 4.4% in unemployment. This decline is primarily attributed to the positive performance of the chemical and plastics industries, as well as the revitalization of the textile sector, which has regained its role as an economic driver in the region.
Ontinyent, as the regional capital, experienced a 4.9% drop in unemployment compared to March 2025. This improvement occurs within a context of digital transformation in local factories, with the industrial sector being the main contributor. Male unemployment decreased by 5.8%, although female unemployment, with a 3.9% reduction, remains a challenge. Young people under 25 have seen an exceptional 9.2% reduction in their unemployment rate.
In l'Olleria, the positive trend is even more pronounced, with a 5.3% decrease in unemployment. Diversification towards the glass sector and logistics services has been key to absorbing labor. The municipality stands out for a 3.5% reduction in unemployment among those over 45, surpassing the regional average and demonstrating the effectiveness of continuous training programs.
Albaida presents a very favorable balance, with a 4.6% drop in unemployment, thanks to inland tourism and cultural revitalization. The parity in job creation, with almost identical decreases between men and women, is noteworthy. Other municipalities such as Castelló de Rugat, Bocairent, and Aielo de Malferit also show positive figures, driven by agri-food industries and the maintenance of long-term industrial employment.
Sector-wise, industry leads the recovery with a 6.1% drop in unemployment, followed by services with 3.9%. Construction shows a more modest decrease of 1.2%, while agriculture is the only sector with a 0.7% increase in unemployment, reflecting difficulties in generational replacement. The group of people without previous employment has decreased by 2.8%, indicating the region's capacity to integrate new graduates.