The latest Labour Situation Report for Canarias highlights a record employment figure for October 2026. The region has seen the creation of 14,812 new job affiliations, marking a 1.5% increase compared to the 0.8% rise recorded across Spain as a whole. However, unemployment has also increased, albeit at a slower pace than the national average, with a 0.9% rise in Canarias compared to 1.8% in Spain, resulting in a total of 141,518 unemployed individuals.
This situation is not contradictory, as the labour market can generate jobs while simultaneously increasing the number of unemployed due to the influx of new job seekers or the end of contracts. Additionally, 19,132 individuals have been regularised from previously irregular status, enhancing the quality of employment statistics.
The growth in employment has been particularly driven by the education sector, where six out of ten new jobs have been created. However, challenges remain in filling educational positions in the non-capital islands due to high housing costs and a lack of affordable rentals.
The report also notes a decrease in long-term unemployment, with 29,497 individuals in this category, representing a significant drop from the previous year. This progress is especially notable among women, who have experienced a reduction of 24,622 in long-term unemployment.
By island, Lanzarote, La Palma, and El Hierro have seen increases in unemployment, while La Gomera has reported a decrease of 14.2%. The implementation of social dialogue policies and labour reforms has contributed to improved working conditions and job creation.
In response to ongoing challenges, CCOO has called for a general strike on 11 November to demand better collective bargaining and living conditions, emphasising the need for wages to reflect the real needs of the population.
