The number of workers netting over €1800 has nearly doubled within a five-year span
In the heart of Europe, Spain's self-employment sector is experiencing a remarkable growth spurt, reaching record levels not seen since the turn of the decade. This upward trend, according to data from the National Institute of Statistics (INE), has been continuous for five consecutive quarters, propelling the employment figure to surpass half a million individuals.
Journalist Pedro Carreira Garcia reports that this evolution has been largely driven by active employment policies, technological improvements, and financial and programmatic support from the government. The Public Employment Service, for instance, has trained 122,600 self-employed individuals and 160,000 in the social economy sector, underscoring the robust support provided to this group.
The coalition government's emphasis on training, skill updates, and professional mobility has seen a 54% increase in active employment policies since they took office. The Public Employment Service has also leveraged big data to tailor its support and improve service efficiency. Significant financial allocations, such as €139 million in 2025, have been made for labor insertion and work-training programs, with specific initiatives aimed at the social economy and self-employment sectors.
Sectoral growth, particularly in the tourism sector, has also played a role. Self-employed numbers in the tourism sector have seen modest increases of 0.5-1.3% in recent months, indicating sectoral contributions to the overall self-employment growth.
Despite a slight increase in unemployment by 7.4% in early 2025, the general trend in later months points to decreasing unemployment and increasing active employment, including self-employed roles. The current unemployment rate stands at its lowest since 2023, a testament to the success of the government's strategies.
These strategies involve multi-annual planning, resource guarantees, training programs, and technological infrastructure, all of which have positively influenced the growth and stability of self-employment in Spain during the reported timeframe. The growth in employment is attributed to inflation and the creation of qualified jobs, further solidifying Spain's position as a hub for entrepreneurship and innovation.
- The Public Employment Service's financial and programmatic support, including the €139 million allocated for labor insertion and work-training programs, has significantly contributed to the growth of self-employment in Spain.
- The robust financing for self-employment and social economy sectors, such as the training provided to 122,600 self-employed individuals and 160,000 in the social economy sector, has been a key factor in driving Spain's business growth.
