Galicia industrial and labor market challenges

The industrial and labor sectors in Galicia are facing significant structural challenges driven by economic volatility and demographic shifts.

In the industrial sector, companies like Oviganic Ibérica have reported substantial sales and operating declines attributed to “eventualidades en geopolítica internacional” (international geopolitical contingencies). While regions like Ferrolterra see high demand for skilled labor in automotive, shipbuilding, and offshore wind sectors, the youth population may be insufficient to meet these needs.

Demographic aging remains a critical pressure point. Approximately 131,700 workers over the age of 60 are approaching retirement, a generational turnover expected to account for roughly 80% of new job openings over the next decade. Galicia’s aging trend is more pronounced than the Spanish national average; currently, 11.7% of Social Security affiliates in the region are over 60, compared to 10.4% nationwide.

Recent economic indicators highlight rising costs and stagnant business expansion. The cost of sick leave due to common illness or non-occupational accidents rose by 13.5% in 2025, reaching 1,723.8 million euros. Although the incidence of sick leave is lower than the Spanish average, the duration is notably higher, averaging 78.85 days compared to the national average of 41.9 days. Furthermore, while Social Security affiliation reached a record high of 1,134,483 members in August, the number of employer companies has remained stagnant, showing nearly 0.0% year-on-year variation in July.