Spanish unemployment inches up in August

[MADRID] The number of people registered as unemployed in Spain rose by 0.39 per cent in August from a month earlier, or by 14,435 people, leaving 3.7 million people out of work, data from the Labour Ministry showed on Friday.

The increase in unemployment, led by the industrial and services sector, marked the end of a five month run of improving figures linked to the tourist season, at a time when politicians are still struggling to form a new government following two inconclusive elections.

August is usually a weaker month for the job market as summer hiring tails off and factories reduce their activity.

However, the rise in unemployment in the same period last year was slightly higher.

In seasonally-adjusted terms, unemployment fell by 24,462 people this August compared to July, the ministry said.

REUTERS