Madrid, Community of Madrid, Spain – January 5, 2026 – The Community of Madrid has officially become the leading employment hub in Spain, surpassing Catalonia, a position the latter had held for decades. This significant economic shift was confirmed in December 2025, with Madrid recording 3.88 million active workers compared to Catalonia’s 3.87 million.
A Historic ‘Surpasso’ in Employment
The capital region’s ascendance to the top spot in employment figures marks a historic ‘surpasso,’ a term used to describe one region overtaking another in economic standing. While Madrid had already become the country’s leading economy in 2019, its recent success in employment solidifies its position as a dominant economic force. The difference in employed individuals between the two regions is a narrow 7,600, a margin that may temporarily fluctuate with seasonal tourism in Catalonia.
Factors Driving Madrid’s Growth
Madrid’s rapid growth has been attributed to several factors, including lower taxes and a consistent influx of individuals from neighboring autonomous communities seeking employment opportunities. The city’s role as a headquarters for major corporations and a hub for public sector employment, including ministries and other governmental bodies, also contributes to its stable and continuous job growth. Historically, Catalonia’s industrial strength and its ‘sun and beach’ tourism in Girona and Tarragona allowed it to maintain its lead. However, the trend indicating Madrid’s overtake has been evident for several months.
Employment Trends and Regional Disparities
Catalonia added 83,912 employed individuals during 2025, closing the year with 3.87 million active workers. In contrast, the Community of Madrid saw an increase of 108,159 employed individuals, reaching a total of 3.88 million affiliates to social security. This puts Catalonia in second place in terms of employment, still significantly ahead of Andalusia, which ranks third with over 300,000 fewer social security affiliates.
Unemployment Figures Across Spain
Regarding unemployment, Andalusia currently holds the highest number of unemployed individuals at 583,057. Catalonia follows with 323,236 unemployed, the Valencian Community with 289,943, and Madrid with 274,930. These figures highlight ongoing regional disparities in the Spanish labor market.
The Impact of Political Events
It is noteworthy that Catalonia’s employment growth began to lag behind Madrid’s after 2017, coinciding with the peak of the ‘procés’ (Catalan independence movement). Since then, the year-on-year growth differential has consistently favored Madrid, ultimately leading to this recent overtake. This suggests a potential link between political stability and economic performance in the regions.
The data underscores a dynamic and evolving economic landscape in Spain, with Madrid emerging as a powerful magnet for both businesses and job seekers. The long-term implications of this shift for both regions and the wider Spanish economy will be closely watched in the coming years.
Source: [elperiodico.com](https://www.elperiodico.com/es/economia/20260105/madrid-adelanta-catalunya-primer-territorio-mas-empleo-125377908)
