Registered unemployment in the province of Alicante increased by 112 people during January, representing a rise of 0.009 per cent compared with December. This was the most moderate increase among the three provinces of the Valencian Community.

Across the Valencian Community as a whole, unemployment rose by 1,788 people in January, bringing the total number of registered jobseekers to 291,731. Despite the monthly increase, the year-on-year picture remains positive, with unemployment down by 26,850 people, a fall of 8.43 per cent compared with the same period last year.

By sector, the increase in unemployment has been concentrated mainly in services, which recorded the largest rise nationwide, along with a smaller increase in agriculture. In contrast, unemployment fell in construction, industry and among those without previous employment.

At national level, unemployment increased by 30,392 people in January, a rise of 1.26 per cent. However, over the past year the total number of unemployed people in Spain has fallen by 6.17 per cent, to 2,439,062.