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In September the average number of contributors to the Spanish Social Security System stood at 16,661,703. This figure represents an increase of 12,182 (0.07%) on the previous month.

It should be noted that these are the best figures for September in eight years, as this is traditionally a month in which a negative result is posted.

The year-on-year data show an increase of 356,258 contributors (up 2.18%) for the eighth consecutive month. This figure is five points higher than the result posted a year ago.

The increase is even greater in seasonally-adjusted terms: the increase of 46,961 is the best September result since 2006.

The State Secretary for the Social Security System, Tomás Burgos, believes this figure "reinforces the upward trend in employment despite the time of year. Generally speaking, this performance by contributor figures in September provides a highly significant confirmation of the currently strong growth in the number of people contributing to the system".

Sectors

The number of contributors registered under the General Regime rose by 9,337 last month (0.07%) to stand at an average total of 13,480,121 in September. It is worth noting the increased number of contributors within education, together with administrative activities and ancillary services.

Also within the General Regime, it should be noted that the Special System for Agricultural Workers posted an increase of 39,138 (5.58%) to a total of 741,005. The Special System for Domestic Workers shrank by 1,439 contributors (-0.34%) to stand at an average total of 424,597.

3,114,225 contributors were registered under the Regime for Self-Employed Workers, following an increase of 4,358 (0.14%).

1,486 fewer people were registered under the Regime for Seamen (-2.3%) to an average total of 63,220. Finally, the Special Regime for Coal Workers shrank by 27 contributors (-0.65%) to stand at 4,137.

Year-on-year change

As regards the year-on-year change, the average number of contributors rose by 356,258; in other words, an increase of 2.18%. Specifically, the General Regime grew by 2.11% or 278,091 more contributors. As regards the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers, it should be noted that the rate rose by 2.59% following an increase of 78,734 contributors over the last 12 months.

The Regime for Seamen fell by 319 (-0.5%), as did the Regime for Coal Workers by 248 (-5.66%).

Autonomous regions

In the last month, the number of contributors rose in seven autonomous regions: led by the Region of Madrid, up by 27,145; Castile-La Mancha, up 23,128; the Canary Islands, up 6,600; the Basque Country, up 2,479; La Rioja, up 1,915; Castile Leon, up 925; Navarre, up 834; and the Autonomous City of Ceuta, up 232.

Of the 16,661,703 contributors in September, 8,969,954 are men and 7,691,749 are women.

Although the announcements by the Spanish government are insistent on pointing out how the country is well on its way out of recession, the picture is still a bleak on when it comes to unemployment figures quoted by the European Union. According to th...