Canarian labor market moderates growth following employment decline

Employment fell by 25,100 people in the second quarter, the largest drop recorded since 2010.

Generic image of an office with economic charts.
IA

Generic image of an office with economic charts.

The labor market in the Canary Islands has entered a phase of moderation during the second quarter of 2026, with a decrease of 25,100 employed people compared to the previous period.

According to the Labor Force Survey (EPA), this decline is the most significant for a second quarter since 2010, excluding the 2020 period impacted by the pandemic. Despite this figure, the market maintains a solid foundation with over one million people currently working in the archipelago.
The employment adjustment has been concentrated primarily in the services sector, which lost 24,400 workers due to lower seasonal tourism activity between April and June. The industrial sector also recorded a decline, albeit with less intensity.

"We are not talking about a change in trend, but a normalization of the labor market after a period of extraordinary job creation."

the Chamber of Commerce of Santa Cruz de Tenerife
In year-on-year terms, the trend remains positive with 13,500 jobs created over the last year, driven mainly by the private sector. The unemployment rate currently stands at 11.6%, representing an increase of two-tenths of a percentage point compared to the previous quarter.
The Chamber of Commerce emphasizes the need to address structural challenges, such as training and professional requalification, to improve productivity and the competitiveness of the Canarian economy in the coming months.
Based on information from the official source: Cámara de Comercio de Santa Cruz de Tenerife (28/07/2026)