Catalonia reports rising unemployment and workplace deaths in July 2026

Official labour statistics show Catalonia's unemployment rose by 7,705 people in July, a 2.51% increase, bringing the total number of unemployed to 314,874. At the same time, social‑security affiliation reached 4,024,750 workers. The Catalan employers’ federation Foment del Treball warned that the mismatch between rising employment and higher unemployment signals a concerning trend for the regional labour market.

In the first half of 2026, occupational fatalities in Catalonia climbed to 43 deaths, a 10.26% rise over the same period last year. In‑transit accidents increased by 70%, with 17 incidents recorded. Overall, 99,638 work‑related accidents were reported, of which 47,200 led to sick leave. The Observatori del Treball and the Workers' Commission attribute the surge to structural issues in work organisation, demanding "shock plans" and greater inspection resources from Catalan and Spanish authorities.