Chile and Spain record highest unemployment and job‑vacancy gaps in five years

Chile's unemployment rate rose to 9.4% in the April‑June 2026 quarter, the highest level in five years and the 41st consecutive month above 8%. More than one million people are out of work, with youth unemployment at 24.6%. Six out of ten firms say they cannot fill vacancies, especially in technology, finance and natural resources, where skill gaps reach 70‑80%. The European Skills, Employment and Competitiveness (EASEC) agency announced a €22 million fund to support skill certification and employability programmes in Chile.

In Spain, the first quarter of 2026 saw a record 159,785 unfilled job vacancies while 4.25 million people were registered as job seekers, the worst monthly figure since 2008. Employers report a mismatch between required technical and service profiles and the qualifications of the labour pool, compounded by low wages and inflexible working conditions. Both countries highlight a structural gap between the skills demanded by businesses and those offered by workers, prompting calls for stronger active‑employment policies and re‑qualification programmes.