Unemployment reached a historic low last October in the Balearic Islands, according to the regional government. The community recorded 27,685 unemployed people, a 6.1% decrease compared with the previous year (−1,804 people). The administrative unemployment rate stood at 4.3%, 0.4 points lower than that registered in October 2024.

The fall in unemployment was widespread across all the islands, although the case of Formentera stood out with a −22.8% drop. Mallorca followed with −6.5%, Menorca with −4.7% and Ibiza with −2.2%.

Employment, unemployment, workers, construction, labour

By sector, unemployment fell mainly in construction (−13.2%) and agriculture (−12.4%), while it increased in hospitality (+31.5%) and retail (+4.2%) due to the end of the tourist season. In addition, long-term unemployment (more than 12 months registered) decreased by 5.4% compared with the previous year.

Compared with September, unemployment rose by 6.3% (+1,631 people), a typical increase after the summer. Even so, the Balearic Islands maintain the lowest unemployment rate in Spain and continue to show a solid and dynamic labour market, according to government sources.

Baleares surpasses 618,000 Social Security affiliates

In October 2025, the Balearic Islands reached 618,471 Social Security contributors. The year-on-year growth was +2.5% (+15,073 contributors), slightly above the national average (+2.4%).

On a monthly basis, affiliation fell by 5.4% (−34,936 people) due to the end of the tourist season, while at national level it increased by +0.7%.

Affiliation by scheme

  • General Scheme: 512,295 people (+2.6% year-on-year / −6.2% monthly).
  • Self-employed: 106,176 people (+2.1% year-on-year), accounting for 17.2% of total employment, more than double the national average (+1.1%).

Growth by island (September data)

  • Mallorca: 498,707 affiliates (+2.1%)
  • Menorca: 39,345 (+1.3%)
  • Ibiza: 88,419 (+1.1%)
  • Formentera: 6,361 (−0.36%)

Evolution by sector

All sectors showed year-on-year increases:

  • Services: +2.7%
  • Construction: +2.6%
  • Industry: +1.8%
  • Agriculture: stable

Employment contracts: more stable jobs

In October, 28,100 contracts were signed, 3.2% fewer than a year earlier (−941). By sector:

  • Agriculture: −26.4%
  • Hospitality: −11.6%
  • Construction: +10.1%
  • Industry: +0.8%

The Balearic Islands continue to lead Spain in permanent hiring, with 62.5% of total contracts, compared with the 42.6% national average. Temporary contracts fell more sharply (−5.0%) than permanent ones (−1.4%), consolidating a more stable and higher-quality employment structure.

Statements

The regional Minister for Labour, Catalina Cabrer, highlighted that these figures reflect both a longer tourist season and a consolidation of perm