L'Hospitalet de Llobregat and the Baix Llobregat comarca, key areas south of Barcelona, reported 43,700 unemployed people in the first quarter of 2026. This figure represents a slight increase of 142 individuals, or 0.3%, compared to the previous quarter.

The Llobregat Business Forum's report, using March 2026 data, shows this change in employment trends. This quarterly rise follows a period of improvement. However, the region's jobless count decreased by 1,564 people annually. This marks a 3.5% reduction from the first quarter of 2025.

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, a major Catalan city, saw the largest quarterly unemployment increase. The city added 248 jobless residents. Cornellà de Llobregat, another significant urban centre nearby, also recorded 92 more unemployed people. These two populous municipalities, with large active populations south of Barcelona, contributed heavily to the overall rise. This data affects thousands of local residents and their families.

Seventeen municipalities in the Baix Llobregat comarca reduced their unemployment figures this quarter. Sant Andreu de la Barca led these efforts, with 55 fewer unemployed residents. Esparreguera saw a decrease of 38 people. Martorell reduced its count by 37, and Molins de Rei by 32.

Conversely, some areas faced challenges. Only three municipalities reported worse annual unemployment figures. Sant Joan Despí recorded 27 more jobless people. Castellví de Rosanes added 10, and Santa Coloma de Cervelló three. Pallejà maintained consistent figures. All other municipalities improved their annual unemployment rates.

Strong Annual Reductions

Several towns achieved notable annual reductions in unemployment. Olesa de Montserrat saw a 9.5% decrease. La Palma de Cervelló recorded a 9.2% reduction. Abrera experienced an 8.8% drop. Sant Feliu de Llobregat reduced its jobless count by 7.1%. Cervelló and Esplugues de Llobregat both recorded a 7.0% fall. Collbató also saw a 6.2% decrease.

The first quarter of 2026 presents a mixed picture for the labour market. It shows positive signs year-on-year, especially in new contracts and the active population. However, it also highlights a quarterly increase in unemployment. New contracts also fell compared to the end of 2025.

Contract Numbers Fluctuate

The region formalised 78,599 work contracts during the first quarter of 2026. This is a 7.1% increase from the same period last year, when 73,379 contracts were signed. Despite this annual growth, quarterly contract numbers fell. The area saw 8,031 fewer contracts compared to the fourth quarter of 2025. This is a 9.3% reduction from the 86,630 contracts signed then.

Year-on-year, the most significant drops in contract numbers occurred in Viladecans, with 764 fewer. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat saw 590 fewer. Cornellà de Llobregat had 247 fewer, and Esparreguera 154 fewer. Conversely, El Prat de Llobregat showed strong growth. It added 2,174 contracts. Sant Joan Despí gained 1,329, Martorell 1,016, and Sant Boi de Llobregat 849.

Active Population Reaches Record High

The quarterly reduction in contracts largely stems from significant declines in a few key areas. El Prat de Llobregat recorded 3,470 fewer contracts. L'Hospitalet de Llobregat had 1,309 fewer. Sant Joan Despí saw 1,093 fewer. Sant Boi de Llobregat and Martorell also experienced drops of 767 and 639 respectively. These five municipalities accounted for nearly 90% of the total quarterly decrease.

Official Social Security data for March 2026 shows the active population in the region reached 493,423 people. This is 914 more than at the end of December 2025. This figure represents the highest active population ever recorded at the close of a quarter. February 2026 actually saw an even higher number. It recorded 496,999 active individuals, the highest in the territory's historical series.

Economic Factors and Outlook

Despite the quarterly record, the active population decreased by 3,576 people during March. The Llobregat Business Forum report suggests several contributing factors. "The start of the tourist season linked to Easter did not offset the effects of rising energy prices," the report stated. It also cited "disruptions in international goods circulation caused by the outbreak of the conflict in Iran."

L'Hospitalet de Llobregat notably increased its active population by 7,458 people. This was a 6.7% rise compared to the previous year. Other municipalities like Sant Joan Despí (+5.4%), La Palma de Cervelló (+4.9%), and El Papiol (+4.4%) also saw significant growth. However, Esparreguera experienced the most relevant quarterly reduction. It lost 659 active people, a 9.5% fall. These figures highlight the complex economic dynamics at play across the Barcelona metropolitan area. Residents and businesses in these areas will closely monitor future reports.

Come and join our Barcelona English Speakers community on WhatsApp.

Originally published by El Periódico Barcelona. Read original article.