The month of August and the end of summer has ended with worrying figures for the self-employed sector in Spain. According to data from the Special Regime of Self-Employed Workers (RETA), the country has experienced a daily average loss of more than 300 self-employed workers, which has led the total number of self-employed workers from 3,381,485 in July to 3,371,350 in August. This decline, which represents a 0.3% reduction, equates to a net loss of 10,135 self-employed workers in just one month.
Lorenzo Amor, president of the Association of Self-Employed Workers (ATA), has described these figures as “bad.” Amor pointed out that, although the loss of members in August is common due to the end of the summer season, this year the decline has been particularly steep. “We have lost more than 6,400 jobs every day and more than 300 self-employed workers daily. July and August are key months for tourism, which should drive hiring, but instead, we have seen a loss of 203,000 jobs, the worst data in the last decade for these months,” Amor commented.
The impact on employment is not limited to self-employed workers. Social Security has recorded a decrease of 193,704 contributors, representing a 0.9% drop compared to the previous month. Additionally, unemployment has increased by 21,884 people, reflecting a negative trend in the labor market.
Concerns and Demands of Self-Employed Workers
The president of ATA has expressed concern about the current situation, highlighting that the loss of jobs and the increase in unemployment during the summer months are indicative of a worrying trend. Amor emphasized that, although the data is not alarming, the destruction of jobs and the decline in hiring are alarming signs. “Self-employed workers and businesses need confidence, legal certainty, and certainty. The continued uncertainty and regulatory changes affecting self-employed workers and businesses are putting job creation and maintenance at risk,” he added.
Among the additional concerns mentioned by Amor are the loss of 20,000 jobs in the agricultural sector in the last year and the reduction of 13,000 workers in the household regime. “These data should make us reflect on the situation of our economy,” concluded the president of ATA.
Generalized Loss by Autonomous Communities
The loss of self-employed workers has been widespread in all autonomous communities during the month of August. Unlike the same month in 2023, when some regions managed to add self-employed workers, this year no community has recorded an increase in the number of self-employed workers.
The communities of Madrid and Murcia have been the most affected, with a 0.6% decrease in the number of RETA affiliates. Meanwhile, the Balearic Islands, Canary Islands, Cantabria, and La Rioja have recorded a minimal loss that did not exceed -0.1%.
In terms of sectors, trade, industry, and agriculture have been the most affected, with a significant reduction in the number of self-employed workers. Education has also suffered, with a loss of 2,073 self-employed workers. However, the transportation sector (+173 self-employed workers) and information and communication sector (+220 self-employed workers) were the only ones to register an increase during the month of August.
The situation of self-employed workers in Spain remains a critical issue that requires attention and appropriate measures to reverse the negative trend and provide a more stable environment for self-employed workers.
Source: MuyPymes and RETA