Spain's social security system concluded October with an average of over 22.6 million affiliates, reaching a total of 22,624,165 employed individuals. This figure marks the highest level recorded, following an increase of 186,612 from September. It represents the most significant rise for the month of October in the history of the system.
Over the past year, job creation has accelerated, resulting in a growth rate of 3.6%, which translates to an increase of 784,573 affiliates compared to October 2025. When accounting for seasonal adjustments and calendar effects, the labour market stands at 22,571,105 affiliates, having added 90,309 this month, reaching the highest level recorded in the series. This marks 69 consecutive months of increases.
Daily records have consistently exceeded 22.6 million workers, with the figures remaining above this threshold from October 8 and continuously from October 13 to 29. The affiliation of foreign workers is particularly dynamic, constituting 16.4% of total affiliates in Spain. On average, the social security system is approaching 3.7 million foreign workers, specifically 3,699,878, which is an increase of 63,899 from September and 598,378 from the previous year.
As of the end of October, the number of foreign affiliates linked to the extraordinary regularisation process stands at 490,586. Among these, the largest group comes from Colombia (27.6%), followed by Venezuela (15.7%). Since April, 557,410 affiliates have been registered for at least one day, with 490,586 currently active. Of these, 75.2% are classified under the General Regime of Social Security, while 5.9% belong to the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (excluding the SETA). Additionally, 59.7% of these workers are men, and 40.3% are women.
In terms of sectors, the most significant growth in affiliation over the past year has been in Construction (+7.3%), followed by Real Estate Activities (+5.8%), Artistic, Sports and Entertainment Activities (+5.3%), and Publishing, Broadcasting, and Content Production and Distribution Activities (+5%). Within the General Regime of Social Security, the average affiliation has seen an annual increase of 3.8% (704,996). This growth rate has been surpassed in sectors such as Construction (+8.4%), Agriculture, Livestock, Forestry and Fishing (+6.8%), Hospitality (+5.4%), and Artistic, Sports and Entertainment Activities (+5.2%).
The affiliation in the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers has experienced an annual increase of 2.3%, surpassing 3.5 million for the first time in the series. The largest growth has been observed in Electricity, Gas, Steam and Air Conditioning Supply (+16.1%), Telecommunications, Computer Programming, Consulting and IT Infrastructure (+15%), Publishing, Broadcasting and Content Production and Distribution Activities (+9.1%), and Real Estate Activities (+8.8%). Overall, the number of self-employed workers has risen to 3,501,598, which is 79,163 more than a year ago.
Women in employment have surpassed 10.7 million this month (10,712,135), representing an increase of 367,537 compared to the previous year. Women now account for 47.4% of the total workforce, with their presence in the labour market growing at an annual rate of 3.6%. Meanwhile, male employment has also reached a record high, with 11,912,029 affiliates, having added 417,036 over the past year. The proportion of temporary workers stands at 12.1%, down from 28.3% in October 2021. Among those under 30, the temporary employment rate is 19.9%, compared to 51.7% five years ago.
Finally, the ratio of contributors to pensioners remains at 2.51, the highest level since 2011.
