Canary Islands employment reaches 1.07 million as unemployment falls to 10.92%

The Canary Islands reached a new employment high in the third quarter of 2026, with 1,073,600 people in work across the archipelago, according to Labour Force Survey (EPA) data. This represents an increase of 65,700 people compared with the same period a year earlier and 38,100 more than in the second quarter.

Year-on-year employment growth stood at 6.52%, above the 2.08% recorded across Spain as a whole. Quarter on quarter, the Canary Islands had the second-largest percentage increase in employment among Spain’s autonomous communities.

The labour force also grew over the past three months, by 33,800 people, to reach 1,205,200.

Meanwhile, the number of unemployed people fell by 4,300 over the quarter to 131,600. Compared with the same period in 2025, it was down by 40,600.

The overall unemployment rate consequently stood at 10.92%, its lowest level in almost two decades.

Isabel León, the Canary Islands Government’s Deputy Minister for Employment, welcomed the results, saying: “The figures reflect the positive evolution of the labour market on the islands and employment growth above the national average.”

Female unemployment reaches its lowest level, while youth unemployment exceeds 20%

One of the most notable findings in the Labour Force Survey concerns the trend in female employment.

In the third quarter, the Canary Islands added 19,100 women in employment and reduced the number of unemployed women by 6,700, bringing it to 65,900.

The female unemployment rate fell to 11.52%, its lowest level in the historical series.

Youth unemployment indicators also improved, with the rate standing at 20.28%, the second-lowest figure in the historical series.

However, this latest figure shows that access to the labour market remains a significant challenge for young people, whose unemployment rate is almost twice the archipelago’s overall average.

Services account for most employment growth

By economic sector, services recorded the largest increase in employment in the third quarter, with 36,900 more workers.

Agriculture also saw positive growth, adding 4,400 people in employment.

By employment status, the number of employees rose by 62,400 compared with the previous quarter, including 48,400 workers on permanent contracts.

The Labour Force Survey results therefore show a favourable trend in the Canary Islands labour market, both in job creation and in the reduction of unemployment.

Despite reaching record employment levels, however, the Canary Islands still has more than 131,000 people unemployed and a youth unemployment rate above 20%. These figures reflect the challenges the archipelago continues to face in employment.

The figures cover the Canary Islands as a whole and, on their own, do not show how the labour market specifically evolved in Fuerteventura during the quarter.