Spain's unemployment rises in January

The number of people registered as unemployed in Spain rose by 57,247 people from December to January according to data released on Tuesday by the Spanish Ministry of Employment and Social Security.

On a year-on-year basis unemployment fell by 374,936 people, an 8.28 percent fall, which meant the biggest fall on a year-on-year basis since 2002.

Regarding sectors, unemployment increased by 67,129 people in the services sector as many of workers had been probably hired during the Christmas period.

Unemployment also increased in the agriculture sector by 3,905 people, while unemployment fell in the construction and industry sectors by 4,821 people and 475 people respectively.

Spain's acting State Secretary of Employment, Juan Pablo Riesgo, said that unemployment has always risen in January, "it has never fallen in 20 years", he pointed out, adding that this time a smaller rise meant that the country's labor market situation was improving. Endit