Average affiliation rises by 96,909 in February, the best figure in many years

It seems that economic indicators confirm a certain revival of the Spanish economy, as both the unemployment rate and the number of workers covered by social security offer reasons for hope.

The average number of people affiliated to the Spanish Social Security system in February stood at 16,672,220. This figure represents a monthly increase of 96,909 (0.58%). This was the best February since 2007, with affiliation rising in all autonomous regions, and an increase in practically all sectors, particularly industry and construction. The seasonally-adjusted figure supports this positive trend in affiliation to the Social Security system.

In year-on-year terms, the affiliation rate continues to rise (up 2.84% in February) and has now posted 13 straight months of year-on-year growth.

Tomás Burgos, the State Secretary for the Social Security system remarked that, "February has posted a very positive result in affiliation numbers. This clearly shows that our economy is ready to generate new jobs in a heightened manner".

Moreover, "the seasonally-adjusted figure - highly valued by analysts in following employment trends - supports this major leap forward, with growth of more than 86,000, the best figure on record since March 2007".Sectors

Affiliation under the General Regime grew by 95,883 on January (0.72%) to stand at an average of 13,495,187. The most noteworthy sectors were construction, with 26,068 new contributors (4.2%); education, with 16,203 new contributors (2.13%); manufacturing industry, with 15,097 new contributors (0.94%); the hotel and catering sector, with 14,012 new contributors (1.49%); the public administration, defence and compulsory social security sector, with 13,029 new contributors (1.28%), and the administrative activities and ancillary services sector, with 10,541 new contributors (0.99%).

The Special System for Agricultural Workers posted a decrease of 8,588 (-1.14%) to a total of 742,246 contributors. In contrast, the Special System for Domestic Workers posted an increase of 3,068 contributors (0.72%).

An average of 3,114,852 people are affiliated under the Regime for Self-Employed Workers, an increase of 463 (0.01%). Affiliation under the Regime for Seamen increased by 544 (0.94%) to an average of 57,669. Finally, the Regime for Coal Workers has an average of 3,970 contributors, a 0.49% increase on the previous month.

Year-on-year change

In year-on-year terms, the rate increased by 2.84% or 459,918 more jobs. This follows a full year of rising affiliation. The majority of this growth corresponds to the General Regime, with 388,899 more jobs than last year and year-on-year growth of 2.97%.

It should be noted that the rate rose by 2.39% under the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers, which translates into an increase of 72,612 people when compared with the same month in 2014. The Regime for Seamen posted a decrease of 2.05% (-1,219).