(Reuters) – Spain ended 2024 with 2.56 million individuals unemployed, the fewest in December since 2007, the Labour Ministry mentioned on Friday on its web site.

The variety of individuals in Spain registering as jobless fell 0.98% in December from a month earlier, or by 25,300 individuals, the ministry mentioned. The quantity was 5.4% decrease than in December 2023, however above the two.13 million registered with out a job in December 2007.

“We finished the year 2024 as we had started it: reducing unemployment, fighting precariousness and will to go forward,” Labour Minister Yolanda Diaz mentioned on the social media platform X. “In 2025 we will keep improving data and win over more time to live better.”

The variety of jobless individuals in December was a contact greater than in the summertime, when the tourism business historically hires 1000’s of momentary employees.

The variety of unemployed individuals in December dropped in companies and agriculture and rose in building and business.

The unemployment fee, which has historically been greater in Spain than in different international locations within the area, has continuously declined since its peak mid 2014 because the economic system recovered.

In stark distinction with the opposite euro zone massive economies, Spain is rising at stable fee and is predicted to have expanded by 3.1% in 2024, in line with its central financial institution.

The unemployment fee stood at 11.21% within the third quarter, statistics division mentioned in October, the bottom since 2008. The fourth quarter fee is due subsequent month.

The variety of unemployed individuals aged below 25 fell 5.54% in December to a complete of 185,801, reaching its lowest stage within the historic collection in December, Diaz mentioned.

Spain gained 42,700 internet formal jobs throughout the month to 21.34 million, when adjusting for seasonality, a separate report from the Social Safety Ministry confirmed.