Regional unemployment drops in Chile's La Araucanía while Spain's Costera sees slight rise

In Chile's La Araucanía region, the latest labour report shows employment stabilising at 439,313 people and unemployment falling 11.7% over the past year to 41,894, bringing the regional unemployment rate to 8.7%, below the national average of 9.4%. The health sector added 9,311 jobs (+30.3%) and education contributed 5,096 new positions, with women leading the increase in employment. Informal work grew 6.6% (+10,101 jobs), pushing the regional informal‑employment rate to 37.4%, while formal private jobs fell 7% amid a slowdown in commerce. Juan Pablo Carrasco, regional labour minister, highlighted the mixed picture of job growth in health and education alongside persistent informality.

In Spain, the June unemployment data for the Costera and Vall d'Albaida comarcas show a modest rise in joblessness. Costera recorded 3,886 unemployed (up 0.49% from May but down 3% year‑on‑year), with the services sector accounting for 15 of the additional unemployed and construction adding seven. Vall d'Albaida saw 4,456 unemployed (up 0.63% month‑on‑month, down 2.79% year‑on‑year), also driven mainly by services. Contract activity increased in both areas, with Costera registering 1,438 contracts (+12.5% YoY) and Vall d'Albaida 2,113 contracts (+9.88% YoY). Eduard Gómez of UGT‑PV noted the figures indicate an overall economic stagnation in the comarcas.