Economic Statistics - unemployment, inflation, etc..

Economy, growth

Growth (GNP) in the third quarter was an annualised 0.9% (-0.2% over the quarter, the first negative figure for years). It was 3.7% in 2007 (data adjusted down 0.1% in August '08), the highest of any major economy. It was 3.9% in 2006, in 2005 3.4%. Finance minister Solbes has now downgraded expectations for 2008 to 2.4%, with 2.1% in 2009. The IMF fears worse figures.
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Inflation

The CPI was 3.6% in October, 2008, (HCPI advance 3.6%) down from the record 5.3% in July but still up from the year end figure of 4.2% in December, 2007. Underlying rate is 2.9%. The falls in fuel and, less, cereals, are to be thanked for the lower rate this month. In 2006 the CPI was 2.7% and in 2005, 3.7%. A new base came into effect for the 2007 statistics. This includes surveys from more districts.
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Sales, Savings and House prices

Car Sales are the thermometer of the current recession: they fell 41.3% in August (compared with August '07). House sales are also way down on last year: 49% down in May. more >>

Debt

Spanish debt Sept '06 (El Mundo)

Mortgage debt is still growing, but more slowly. It hit 666,000 million Euros in August, 2008, a rise of 8% over the 'credit crunch' year. Total public and private debt at q3, 2006 was over 2 billion (US trillion) Euros. The total outstanding personal credit stood in 2004 at 152,429 million Euros. In the year to June '07 mortgage debt rose 'only' 17.2% to above 600,000 million. At end October '06 it was 550,000 million, with other personal credit around 200,000 million, altogether 750,678 million. The good news is that the mortgage debt rise is now slowing. The EU has alerted of the dangers of further rises. In September '06 bad mortgage payers were 0.4%.
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Employment

In the latest unemployment figures, from the employment agency INEM, unemployment rose by some 193,000 people (7.3%) in October to 2,818,026, an increase of 769,449 (23%) over the past year. At the end of 2007 it stood at 2,129,547. Construction contributed over 20,000 of the new unemployed. Unemployment grew by 5% in 2007 after falling by some 80,000 during 2006, leaving the figure at 2,022,873. more >>

Salaries

Average salary in 2005 was 22,418 Euros. In 2003 it was 19,808.06 Euros. Women received an average of 36% less than men. The 2007 minimum wage is €570.60, a rise of 5.5%. For 2005 it was 513 Euros per month. The government has promised 600€ for 2008, the next election year. During 2005 20% were considered below the relative poverty line, while 40% could not afford a week's holiday. more >>

Much more can be found using the following links to the various ministries and in particular the National Statistics Institute. For starters, this table lists up to date economic figures. more >>