Zamora labor market decline and economic response

The labor market in Zamora has shown signs of weakness following the summer season. In September 2026, the unemployment rate rose to 10.23%, with 7,927 individuals unemployed. This increase was primarily driven by the service sector, which accounted for 106 of the new unemployed persons. Data highlighted a heavy reliance on temporary contracts, which represented 65.77% of formalized contracts in September, and a significant gender gap where women comprised 58.7% of the unemployed population.

By the third quarter of 2026, the province experienced a broader decline in the active population, which decreased by 3.39% compared to the previous year. The inactive population rose by 5.86%. Notable contractions occurred in the public sector, which saw a 14.16% drop in employment, and in self-employment, which declined by 18.12%. Labor unions attributed these trends to an aging population and a lack of structural job creation.

In response to these economic challenges, the ‘Zamora Destino Vital’ project was launched. This initiative, involving the Provincial Council, the Chamber of Commerce, and CEOE Zamora, seeks to attract new residents, entrepreneurs, and investors by focusing on sectors such as tourism, the agri-food industry, and the ‘Silver Economy’.