The number of unemployed individuals in Barcelona province has increased to 251,681, marking a 2.0% rise from September. This increase is the most moderate among the four provinces of Catalonia.
According to the monthly unemployment report from the Diputació de Barcelona, the figure represents a 4.0% increase compared to the same month last year, confirming a rising trend observed in recent months. Consequently, the unemployment rate in the region is now at 8.5%, slightly above the rate recorded in October 2025.
The monthly increase in unemployment has been noted across all major sectors of activity. Notably, the group of individuals without prior employment has seen the most significant rise, with a 9.3% increase from the previous month. Unemployment in the industrial sector has also risen, although it remains lower than the figures from a year ago, showing a year-on-year reduction of 1.4%.
By gender, the rise in unemployment is more pronounced among men, who experienced a monthly increase of 2.6%. This growth is particularly notable among those under 25 years old, where male unemployment has surged by 10.5%.
Regional disparities in unemployment
Regionally, Lluçanès is the only area in the province to report a decrease in the number of unemployed individuals, with a drop of 4.2% since September. In contrast, Moianès has recorded the highest increase, with a rise of 9.8%.
The unemployment trends observed in October illustrate varied behaviours across different territories within the province. While most regions have seen increases in unemployment, the intensity of these rises varies significantly.
The report from the Diputació de Barcelona aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) number 8, which focuses on decent work and economic growth. The 17 SDGs were established by the UN General Assembly on 25 September 2015 and are part of the global agenda for 2030. The Diputació de Barcelona is committed to fulfilling these objectives and supports local governments in the province in accordance with these goals.
