Labor force, total in Spain was reported at 24386307 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Spain - Labor force, total - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

The statistic shows the distribution of the workforce across economic sectors in Spain from 2013 to 2023. In 2023, 3.62 percent of the workforce in Spain were employed in agriculture, 19.89 percent in industry and 76.49 percent in services.

Employment Rate in Spain decreased to 51.92 percent in the first quarter of 2025 from 52.28 percent in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Spain Employment Rate- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

This statistic shows the level of employment in Spain from 2015 to 2023, with projections up until 2025. In 2023, the level of employment in Spain was around 21.01 million people. Economy of Spain Before the economic crisis started in 2007, Spain’s economy was one of the most thriving in the European Union, but since it was severely hit and officially entered recession in 2009, gross domestic product / GDP growth in Spain has been struggling to recover. The amount of money banks have been lending to Spain due to the euro crisis is enormous, but the country still has a long way to go. There is still a vast difference between government revenue and spending in Spain, with spending being significantly higher than revenue. Today, a look at a comparison of GDP and national debt in selected euro countries reveals that Spain’s GDP is higher than that of other countries which were severely affected by the economic crisis, i.e. Greece, Portugal and Ireland. However, when looking at the national debt in the European Union, Spain’s national debt is still one of the highest. The rate of employment has been decreasing constantly since the crisis, while the unemployment rate in Spain has been increasing dramatically and still continues to rise. Just as in other affected countries, many people are losing their jobs while the younger generation graduating from universities are struggling to find employment. Many are leaving the country in search of work elsewhere. In 2012, Spain introduced a labor reform which is slowly taking effect.

Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector data was reported at 3,117.800 Person th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 3,105.800 Person th for Mar 2018. Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector data is updated quarterly, averaging 2,971.650 Person th from Mar 2002 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 3,306.600 Person th in Sep 2011 and a record low of 2,569.000 Person th in Mar 2002. Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G018: Employment: Labour Force Survey: by Type.

Labor force, female (% of total labor force) in Spain was reported at 46.98 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Spain - Labor force, female - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

In 2024, the labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 in Spain did not change in comparison to the previous year. The labor participation rate among the total population aged between 15 and 64 remained at ***** percent. The labor force participation rate is the share of people aged 15 and over who are economically active (i.e. employed or actively searching for work). It is calculated by dividing the economically active population aged 15 and over by the total population aged 15 and over.Find more statistics on other topics about Spain with key insights such as employment level in services as a share of total employment, youth unemployment rate, and employment level in services as a share of total employment for men.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Female: From 25 to 54 Years for Spain (LREM25FEESQ156S) from Q1 1999 to Q4 2024 about 25 to 54 years, Spain, employment-population ratio, females, employment, population, and rate.

Key information about Spain Labour Force Participation Rate

• Spain Labour Force Participation Rate dropped to 58.5 % in Dec 2024, compared with 59.0 % in the previous quarter.
• Spain Labour Force Participation Rate is updated quarterly, available from Mar 2021 to Dec 2024, with an average rate of 58.6 % .
• The data reached the an all-time high of 59.3 % in Sep 2023 and a record low of 57.6 % in Mar 2021.
• Spain Labour Force Participation Rate is reported by reported by National Statistics Institute.
• In the latest reports, Spain Population reached 48.1 million people in Dec 2023.
• Unemployment Rate of Spain dropped to 10.6 % in Dec 2024.
• The country's Monthly Earnings stood at 2,545.5 USD in Sep 2024.

Full Time Employment in Spain decreased to 18689.50 Thousand in the first quarter of 2025 from 18798.90 Thousand in the fourth quarter of 2024. This dataset provides - Spain Full Time Employment- actual values, historical data, forecast, chart, statistics, economic calendar and news.

Spain Employment: Employees: Private Sector data was reported at 13,139.500 Person th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 12,686.500 Person th for Mar 2018. Spain Employment: Employees: Private Sector data is updated quarterly, averaging 12,286.600 Person th from Mar 2002 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 14,125.500 Person th in Dec 2007 and a record low of 10,734.500 Person th in Mar 2002. Spain Employment: Employees: Private Sector data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G018: Employment: Labour Force Survey: by Type.

Graph and download economic data for Employment to Population Ratio for Spain (SLEMPTOTLSPZSESP) from 1991 to 2024 about Spain, employment-population ratio, employment, and population.

Between 1950 and 1973, the Spanish economy grew significantly due to European integration and a boom in its tourism industry. Growth was initially slow in these years; however, Spain gradually became less isolated over the 1950s, and by the 1960s, the economy was booming. During this process, the economy shifted its priority from agricultural output to focus on industrial and service sectors (particularly tourism), which is reflected in the share of each sector in its total employment. In 1950, approximately half of all Spanish workers were employed in the agricultural sector, while this dropped to just 10 percent in 1973; over the same period, the share of workers in service sectors more than doubled, from 26 to 53 percent. To compare, in 2019, the share of those employed in agriculture was less than three percent, while those working in services made up 68 percent.

Slow recovery compared to the rest of Western Europe Although the Spanish Civil War had largely concluded in 1939, the Second World War meant that the supplies needed for recovery were often unavailable. Franco's alignment with the Axis Powers meant that financial assistance was not available from the U.S. or its allies. This ostracization continued into the post-war period, as Spain's fascist government was excluded from the Marshall Plan, and in 1950, many sectors of the Spanish economy had still not recovered to their pre-civil war rates. In 1953, however, Franco's hardline, anti-communist stance had improved Spanish relations with the U.S., which opened a stream of American investment. The rest of the 1950s then became a transitional period for Spain's economy, which experienced growth but was often hindered by mismanagement and corruption.

Emergence of the tourism industry Despite improving relations with the U.S., Spain remained isolated from the rest of Western Europe until the end of the decade. After this, trade barriers were gradually lifted, Spain joined international trade organizations and became an associate member of those in Europe, and tourism became a staple of the Spanish economy. In earlier decades, international holidays had been too expensive for most; however, increasing living standards in Western Europe and the affordability of air travel saw the number of tourists rise from four million in 1959 to 35 million in 1973.

Spain Employment Rate: ow Over 25 Years data was reported at 52.990 % in Sep 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 52.810 % for Jun 2018. Spain Employment Rate: ow Over 25 Years data is updated quarterly, averaging 48.820 % from Sep 1976 (Median) to Sep 2018, with 169 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 56.180 % in Jun 2007 and a record low of 41.420 % in Mar 1986. Spain Employment Rate: ow Over 25 Years data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G012: Employment Rate: Labour Force Survey.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Labor Force Participation Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Spain (LRACTTTTESQ156S) from Q1 1999 to Q4 2024 about 15 years +, Spain, participation, labor force, labor, and rate.

Spain labor force participation rate for 2024 was 33.09%, a 0% increase from 2023.

<ul style='margin-top:20px;'>

<li>Spain labor force participation rate for 2023 was <strong>33.09%</strong>, a <strong>0.37% increase</strong> from 2022.</li>
<li>Spain labor force participation rate for 2022 was <strong>32.72%</strong>, a <strong>1.16% increase</strong> from 2021.</li>
<li>Spain labor force participation rate for 2021 was <strong>31.56%</strong>, a <strong>1.6% increase</strong> from 2020.</li>
</ul>Labor force participation rate for ages 15-24 is the proportion of the population ages 15-24 that is economically active: all people who supply labor for the production of goods and services during a specified period.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Employment Rate Total: 15 Years or over for Spain (LREMTTTTESQ156S) from Q1 1999 to Q4 2024 about 15 years +, Spain, employment-population ratio, employment, population, and rate.

In 2023, most professionals working in Spain were salaried employees, with workers from Latin America having the second largest difference between self-employed and employed. Professionals that came originally from other countries in the European Union amounted to approximately ******* during the period under consideration.

Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector: Female data was reported at 1,742.400 Person th in Jun 2018. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,736.000 Person th for Mar 2018. Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector: Female data is updated quarterly, averaging 1,600.650 Person th from Mar 2002 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 66 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,784.000 Person th in Jun 2011 and a record low of 1,252.000 Person th in Jun 2002. Spain Employment: Employees: Public Sector: Female data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Statistics Institute. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Spain – Table ES.G018: Employment: Labour Force Survey: by Type.

Graph and download economic data for Infra-Annual Labor Statistics: Labor Force Participation Rate Female: From 25 to 54 Years for Spain (LRAC25FEESQ156S) from Q1 1999 to Q4 2024 about 25 to 54 years, Spain, females, participation, labor force, labor, and rate.