Spain's unemployment falls by 541,700 people in 2016

Spain's unemployment fell by 541,700 people in 2016, according to data of the Inquest into the Active Population (EPA) published on Thursday by Spain's Statistical Office (INE).

The number of people out of work in the country stood at 4,237,800 people, which is the lowest figure since the third quarter of 2009. Thus, the Spanish unemployment rate stood at 18.63 percent at the end of 2016 as opposed to the 20.9 percent of 2015.

Meanwhile, a total of 18,508,100 people were working at the end of 2016, which meant a 2.29 percent-increase when compared with 2015.

Unemployment fell in all sectors year-on-year, decreasing by 79,600 in the services sector, by 35,600 in the construction sector, and by 5,100 people in the agriculture sector.

The INE also reported that the unemployment rate for women stood at 20.25 percent and at 17.22 percent for men by the end of 2016.

Spanish Minister of Employment and Social Security, Fatima Banez, said that Thursday's data showed the "strength" of the country's employment recovery, highlighting the fact there were two million fewer unemployed people since the beginning of the country's economic recovery. Endit