MADRID, April 6 (Xinhua) -- Spain's unemployment fell to its lowest level for the month of March since 2008, while the number of workers affiliated to the country's Social Security system rose above 22 million for the first time on a seasonally adjusted basis, according to official data released on Monday.
The number of people registered as unemployed declined by 22,934 from the previous month to 2,419,712 at the end of March. Average Social Security affiliation increased by 211,510 to 21,882,147, marking one of the strongest gains for a March on record.
On a seasonally adjusted basis, Social Security affiliation stood at 22,010,532, up 80,274 from February and above the 22 million mark for the first time.
The services sector remained the main engine of job creation, helped by the Easter holiday period. The hospitality industry alone added 79,701 workers during the month. The latest figures suggest Spain's labor market remains resilient.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez welcomed the data in a social media post, saying Spain had reached 22 million people affiliated to the Social Security system for the first time.
Second Deputy Prime Minister and Labor Minister Yolanda Diaz also praised the figures, highlighting lower unemployment among women and young people.
"They are the result of all the labor reforms we have undertaken," she said, adding that the government would "continue working for the rights and protection of workers." ■
