Spanish economy records biggest quarterly jobs rise since 2005. Spain raises civil servants’ salaries in election year

According to the a survey released by Spain's National Statistics Institute (INE) in July 2015, the country's unemployment rate went down to 22.37% in the second quarter of 2015.

Between April and June the Spanish economy created 411,800 jobs, a quarterly increase of 2.36%, leaving the total number of people in employment at 17,866,500. Meanwhile, the number of jobless claims fell to 5,149,000.

Although Spain was expected to be the developed world’s biggest job creator in 2015 and 2016, its unemployment rate has been above 20% since 2010. Some world bodies expect the figure to fall below this threshold by late 2016.

Media sources reported that Spain's government was going to raise civil servants' salary for the first time in five years, months ahead of a general election.

ESO: Background information: IMF calls on Spain to raise VAT and enable cheaper layoffs http://www.europeansources.info/record/imf-calls-on-spain-to-raise-vat-and-enable-cheaper-layoffs-spain-will-top-economic-growth-and-job-creation-this-year-say-world-bodies/

The Wall Street Journal, 23.07.15: Spain’s Unemployment Rate at Lowest Level Since 2011 http://www.wsj.com/articles/spains-unemployment-rate-at-lowest-level-since-2011-1437649879

Euronews, 23.07.15: Jobless rate in Spain falls to lowest level in over three years http://www.euronews.com/2015/07/23/jobless-rate-in-spain-falls-to-lowest-level-in-over-three-years/

EurActiv, 24.07.15: Despite 22.7% unemployment rate, Rajoy claims progress http://www.euractiv.com/sections/social-europe-jobs/despite-227-unemployment-rate-rajoy-claims-progress-316548

EurActiv, 31.07.15: Spain raises civil servants' salaries in election year http://www.euractiv.com/sections/euro-finance/spain-raises-civil-servants-salaries-election-year-316738

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