The labour market in Palma continues to show positive signs. In April, the number of unemployed people dropped by 6.84% compared to April 2024, which means 928 fewer people out of work. Compared to the previous month, March 2025, the decrease was 5.78%, i.e., 775 fewer people.

Palma employment

Photo: Ajuntament de Palma.

In terms of Social Security affiliation, Palma recorded 259,661 affiliated individuals last March, representing 48.39% of all affiliations in the Balearic Islands. This figure reflects an increase of 4.33% compared to February and a year-on-year rise of 2.16% compared to March 2024.

Unemployment drops across all groups

The decline in unemployment was registered across all groups. On an intermonthly basis (from March to April):

  • Youth: decrease of 15.78%
  • Women: decrease of 5.84%
  • People over 45: decrease of 2.02%

Compared to April last year (year-on-year), unemployment also fell:

  • Women: 7.11% less
  • Over 45s: 6.69% less
  • Youth: 5.55% less

Hospitality, the sector showing the strongest recovery

The sector with the largest drop in unemployment was hospitality, with a decline of 11.23%. The most positively affected occupations were:

  • Women:
    • Waitresses: 466 fewer (-9.86%)
    • Female cooks: 149 fewer (-9.15%)
  • Men:
    • Male cooks: 117 fewer (-18.88%)
    • Waiters: 341 fewer (-11.43%)

Regarding economic activities with the greatest decrease in unemployment:

  • Women:
    • Accommodation services: 271 fewer (-15.84%)
    • Professional, scientific and technical activities: 293 fewer (-10.40%)
  • Men:
    • Food and beverage services: 383 fewer (-12.95%)
    • Accommodation services: 145 fewer (-12.65%)

Permanent hiring increases

During April, 13,813 employment contracts were signed in Palma, of which 9,508 were permanent and 4,305 were temporary. Permanent hiring increased by 15.29% compared to March, although compared to April last year it dropped by 5.45%.

The occupations with the most contracts were:

  • Women:
    • Waitresses: 1,043 hired (+27.35%)
    • Cleaners: 964 hired (-2.43%)
  • Men:
    • Waiters: 967 hired (+62.25%)
    • Drivers: 396 hired (+55.91%)

The economic activities with the most contracts were:

  • Women:
    • Food and beverage services: 1,188 contracts (+5.69%)
    • Retail: 1,007 contracts (+24.17%)
  • Men:
    • Food and beverage services: 1,372 contracts (+38.31%)
    • Accommodation services: 673 contracts (+71.25%)