started · updated
Spain collective dismissals rise 15.6% through May 2026
Collective dismissals in Spain rose by 15.6% during the first five months of 2026, according to data from the Ministry of Labour and Social Economy. A total of 16,931 workers were affected by employment regulation procedures (ERE) between January and May, up from 14,642 during the same period in 2025.
The service sector remains the most impacted, accounting for 70% of all recorded dismissals, with 12,205 workers affected. Key industries experiencing layoffs include telecommunications, computer programming, consultancy, commerce, and transport. March 2026 recorded the highest monthly impact, with 5,303 workers affected, marking a 60.9% increase compared to March 2025.
Regionally, Catalonia and Madrid recorded the highest number of affected workers. While Catalonia saw 4,461 affected individuals—a 17.6% decrease from the previous year—Madrid experienced a 55.3% increase, totaling 4,091 workers. Other notable regional shifts include a nearly twofold increase in the Valencian Community and a nearly sevenfold increase in Aragon.
Entities
Catalonia · Madrid · Ministry of Labour and Social Economy · Spain · Yolanda Díaz
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] Aragon saw 840 affected workers, nearly seven times the amount recorded in the same period the previous year. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The service sector saw 12,205 workers affected by collective dismissals between January and May 2026. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Catalonia recorded 4,461 affected workers between January and May, a 17.6% decrease compared to the previous year. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Madrid recorded 4,091 affected workers, representing a 55.3% increase from the previous year. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] A total of 16,931 people were affected by collective dismissal procedures (ERE) from January to May 2026. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] March 2026 saw the highest number of affected workers with 5,303 people, a 60.9% increase from March 2025. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Collective dismissals in Spain increased by 15.6% between January and May 2026 compared to the previous year. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The service sector accounted for seven out of ten collective dismissals recorded in the first five months of the year. www.diariodemallorca.es · www.levante-emv.com