The Councilor for Employment, Mobility, and the Central District of the Las Palmas de Gran Canaria City Council, José Eduardo Ramírez, highlighted that “October leaves us with a new positive balance for the capital's labor market, with 1,307 fewer people unemployed than a year ago. It is especially important that this reduction is occurring in strategic sectors for our economy, such as commerce and construction, and that it also reaches individuals over 45 years old, one of the groups that traditionally faces more obstacles in rejoining the labor market”.
Ramírez emphasized that “these results encourage us to continue working so that the city's economic growth translates into more and better opportunities for citizens. From the City Council, through the IMEF, we want to continue strengthening collaboration with companies and adapting training to the real needs of the labor market, with the aim of facilitating access to employment, improving professional qualifications, and moving towards a city with greater opportunities for everyone”.
The labor market saw particular recovery in October among individuals aged 45 and over, a group in which employment rose by 6.8% compared to October 2025. Unemployment data for those under 25 years old show a 1.6% year-on-year increase in jobs; and for the 25 to 44 age group, unemployment decreased by 0.1% year-on-year.
By educational levels, employment increased most significantly among individuals with secondary education – by 6.4% compared to the same month last year – and those with primary education – by 5.4% year-on-year. The rise in employment in the Gran Canaria capital in October is led by men, with a 4.6% year-on-year increase in jobs compared to the 4.4% increase registered for women.
By sectors, commerce, construction, and agriculture led the employment growth this month. Jobs created in commerce rose by 11.9% compared to 2025, accounting for 15.60% of the city's total unemployment (4,377 people). Employment in construction grew by 11.7% year-on-year, representing 7.82% of total unemployment (2,195 people). In agriculture, jobs increased by 6.2% year-on-year, with 212 people unemployed in this sector.
Employment in the hospitality sector increased by 4% year-on-year, with 3,110 people unemployed (11.09% of the total). The rest of the services sector generated a 1.7% year-on-year employment growth, with 14,329 people remaining unemployed (51.08% of the total).
Long-term unemployed individuals improved their employment figures by 9.86% year-on-year, representing 48.53% (13,655) of those unemployed. Individuals with non-long-term unemployment experienced a 2.89% year-on-year employment growth, accounting for 51.47% (14,481) of the total.
63.57% of unemployed individuals in the capital receive no type of benefit, with their employment figures increasing by 12.74% year-on-year. 16.95% receive contributory benefits (a 2.47% increase), and 19.46% receive unemployment subsidies (5,475 people). Only 5 people receive the active insertion income.
Regarding the number of contracts signed, Las Palmas de Gran Canaria registered a total of 12,841 in October. 42.98% of these were permanent, an increase of 6.56% compared to October 2025. Temporary contracts represented 56.47% of new registrations this month, up 0.87% from last year.
