Canary Islands record lowest unemployment figure since December 2007

The Canary Islands ended September with 140,303 people registered as unemployed at employment offices, 4,156 fewer than in August, a monthly fall of 2.88%. Compared with September 2025, the number of unemployed people fell by 5,070, or 3.49%.

According to data released by the Canary Islands Government, this is the lowest registered unemployment figure in the islands since December 2007.

The trend is also reflected in long-term unemployment. The Canary Islands have 62,835 people who have been looking for work for an extended period, 44.79% of all unemployed people. That is 491 fewer than in August and 4,469 fewer than a year ago, a year-on-year fall of 6.64% that puts the figure at its lowest level since January 2009.

María Teresa Ortega, director of the Canary Islands Employment Service (SCE), considers the trend in long-term unemployment to be “a positive sign of how the labour market is performing” and points to the need to continue strengthening guidance, training and support for people who face greater difficulties in finding work.

Unemployment falls among both men and women

Unemployment fell among both women and men in September.

The Canary Islands recorded 80,952 unemployed women, 2,856 fewer than in August (-3.41%) and 3,361 fewer than a year ago (-3.99%). Among men, unemployment stood at 59,351, after falling by 1,300 in a month (-2.14%) and by 1,709 compared with September 2025 (-2.80%).

By age group, the largest monthly fall was among people aged 25 to 45, with 2,627 fewer unemployed and a total of 45,745. Among those aged over 45, the figure fell by 2,012 to 87,085.

The trend was different among under-25s, with unemployment rising by 483 in September (+6.91%) to 7,473 young people. However, youth unemployment was down by 338 year on year (-4.33%).

More than 69,600 contracts in September

Hiring rose significantly in September. A total of 69,644 contracts were signed in the Canary Islands, 9,764 more than in August, representing a monthly increase of 16.31%.

Compared with the same month in 2025, 2,203 more contracts were signed, an increase of 3.27%.

Of the total, 31,341 were permanent contracts, approximately 45%. This type of contract increased by 25.23% compared with August, with 6,315 more contracts, and by 4.19% year on year.

José Ramón Rodríguez, director-general for Labour, says the increase in hiring extended across all major economic sectors and all the islands.

The so-called Other Services category recorded the largest increase in absolute terms, with 31,356 contracts, 5,663 more than in August (+22.04%). Hospitality recorded 21,979 contracts (+12.91%); Trade, 9,402 (+6.18%); Construction, 3,151 (+14.33%); Industry, 2,539 (+21.48%); and Agriculture, 1,217 (+19.31%).

Education, which is included in Other Services, saw a particularly notable increase, from 964 contracts in August to 3,046 in September, a monthly rise of 215.98%.

Fuerteventura records 4,233 contracts, up 12.91%

The increase in hiring also extended to Fuerteventura. A total of 4,233 contracts were signed on the island in September, 484 more than in August, representing a monthly rise of 12.91%.

Gran Canaria recorded 25,542 contracts, 4,074 more than the previous month (+18.98%), while Tenerife reached 31,734, an increase of 4,045 (+14.61%).

There were 5,812 contracts signed in Lanzarote (+14.77%); La Palma recorded 1,630 (+20.12%); La Gomera, 496 (+34.42%); and El Hierro, 197 (+7.07%).

September’s figures therefore maintain the downward trend in registered unemployment in the Canary Islands, while also showing an increase in hiring following the month of August.