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Spanish unemployment sees record fall Spanish unemployment sees record fall
(about 13 hours later)
Spanish unemployment figures experience their biggest ever annual fall but unemployment remains at over 20%. Spanish unemployment figures have experienced their biggest annual fall but unemployment remains at over 20%.
The National Statistics Institute said the number of unemployed Spaniards fell by 12.4% to 4.78 million last year thanks to a strengthening economy. The National Statistics Institute said the number of unemployed Spaniards fell by 12.4% to 4.78 million last year, thanks to a strengthening economy.
In the fourth quarter the rate dropped to 20.9% of the workforce, compared with 21.2% three months earlier.In the fourth quarter the rate dropped to 20.9% of the workforce, compared with 21.2% three months earlier.
The figures, which are better than predicted, are at their lowest level since mid-2011.The figures, which are better than predicted, are at their lowest level since mid-2011.
The economic recovery pushed the number of unemployed people down by 678,200 for the whole year.The economic recovery pushed the number of unemployed people down by 678,200 for the whole year.
But there is concern that much of the growth depends on short-term jobsBut there is concern that much of the growth depends on short-term jobs
The data showed almost twice as many temporary posts were created in 2015 than permanent ones.The data showed almost twice as many temporary posts were created in 2015 than permanent ones.
Vincenzo Scarpetta, a political analyst at Open Europe in London, said: "If the economic cycle starts going less well, those jobs could start to evaporate."Vincenzo Scarpetta, a political analyst at Open Europe in London, said: "If the economic cycle starts going less well, those jobs could start to evaporate."
Economists fear that the inconclusive election, that has yet to result in a government, could delay much needed reform of the labour market. Economists fear that the inconclusive election, which has yet to result in a government, could delay much needed reform of the labour market.
Spain has suffered a double-dip recession which pushed unemployment to just under 27% at the end of 2013. Spain has suffered a double-dip recession that pushed unemployment to just under 27% at the end of 2013.
Retail sales grew 3.6% in 2015 as a whole which is the biggest rise in 15 years. Retail sales grew 3.6% in 2015 as a whole, which is the biggest rise in 15 years.
A fall in the active workforce also helped the drop in the unemployment rate in the fourth quarter, reflecting the flow of workers going abroad and inactivity among the long-term unemployed.A fall in the active workforce also helped the drop in the unemployment rate in the fourth quarter, reflecting the flow of workers going abroad and inactivity among the long-term unemployed.