The labor market in the Marina Alta region experiences a seasonal adjustment in September, with a decrease of 1,497 Social Security affiliations and an increase of 233 unemployed individuals compared to August. However, the region maintains historically high employment figures and a lower unemployment volume than in previous years.
The region ended September with 68,745 affiliations, 2.13% less than in August, mainly due to reduced activity in sectors linked to tourism and services. This loss is lower than the average of recent years. Despite this, the Marina Alta achieves the highest affiliation volume for a September in its historical series, with a year-on-year increase of 7.26% compared to September 2025.
Hospitality and commerce concentrate the largest part of the monthly employment loss, with decreases of approximately 1,170 and 580 affiliations respectively. Other sectors such as agriculture, sports activities, and maritime transport also show declines. In contrast, construction adds 395 affiliations and education around 230, coinciding with the start of the school year.
Regarding registered unemployment, it increased by 233 people compared to August, reaching 7,515. This rise is the largest for a September since 2022. Nevertheless, the number of unemployed is the lowest for a September since 2007, and it remains below 8,000 people for the eighteenth consecutive month.
The year-on-year comparison shows a moderation in the reduction of unemployment, with 44 fewer people than in September 2025. The services sector and youth concentrate the rise in unemployment. The number of individuals under 25 registered as unemployed increased by 124, representing more than half of the total increase.
Hiring picked up with 3,565 contracts formalized in September, 844 more than in August and 7.93% more than the previous year. Indefinite contracts are the majority (69%), with a year-on-year increase of 12.33%, driven by full-time and part-time modalities. The accumulated balance between January and September shows a 17.35% increase in contracts.
The estimated unemployment rate stands at 9.85%, below the provincial and regional averages. September's data reflect a dual reading: the seasonal adjustment intensifies the loss of affiliations and the rise in youth and service sector unemployment, but the region maintains a record employment volume and historically low unemployment.
The full report, with detailed analysis of affiliations, unemployment, and hiring, can be consulted in the "Sectorial Reports" section of the Observatori Marina Alta website.
