BARCELONA, Spain, July 31 (Xinhua) -- Spain's job market has reached historic highs, highlighting the country's sustained economic expansion, especially in the vibrant service sector, said Javier Vazquez, a labor expert and associate professor at the University of Barcelona, on Thursday.
According to figures released last week by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE), employment in the country surged to 22.27 million people at the end of the second quarter of 2025, the highest figure since records began. This marks a rise of 503,300 jobs from the previous quarter and an increase of 584,000 compared to the same period in 2024.
The unemployment rate also saw a major drop, falling to 10.29 percent, the lowest level since the 2008 global financial crisis. The number of jobless individuals declined by 236,100, bringing the total to 2.55 million.
The service sector remains the powerhouse of employment, creating 364,800 jobs, accounting for nearly 70 percent of all new positions. Industry followed with 90,300 new jobs, while the construction sector added 45,000. Agriculture contributed more modestly, with 2,800 additional positions.
Vazquez emphasized the dynamic nature of tourism in particular, noting that "some 95 million international tourists visit Spain each year."
Looking ahead, Vazquez said he expects the labor market to keep growing, possibly reaching 23 million employed people in the future. He cited International Monetary Fund projections that place Spain's 2025 GDP growth at 2.5 percent, far higher than the European Union's average.
However, he cautioned that despite the headline success, underlying issues persist. "Many workers remain dissatisfied because of low wages," he said. "This is one of the main challenges the Spanish economy still faces." ■