MADRID, 20 Abr. (EUROPA PRESS) –

The number of very long-term unemployed (at least two years unemployed) has reversed its upward trend, achieving “small reductions” in the last two quarters of 2022, according to the Adecco Monitor of Job Opportunities and Satisfaction.

While the total number of unemployed reached the figure of 3.02 million at the end of 2022, 79,800 less than a year earlier, the very long-term unemployed stood at 853,600, which is 58,400 less than in the fourth quarter of 2021. according to this report by Adecco, which takes as reference data from the Active Population Survey (EPA) for the last quarter of 2022.

Despite this reduction and considering the average of the last four quarters, the very long-term unemployed have increased their weight in the total number of unemployed by three points, up to 30.1%.

While a year ago Andalusia had the highest proportion of very long-term unemployed, with 31.1%, now there are eight autonomous communities that exceed 30%.

Thus, Asturias leads the list, with 35%, followed by the Canary Islands (34.4%), while, at the other extreme, with the lowest weight of very long-term unemployed, is the Balearic Islands, the only region with a percentage lower than 20%, specifically with 19.7%.

According to the Adecco report, 67.8% of the unemployed in Spain are receiving an unemployment benefit, eight tenths more than a year earlier, but also eight tenths less than the fourth quarter of 2019, before the pandemic.

Extremadura, with 100%, offers the highest coverage for its unemployed, followed by Cantabria (87.1%) and the Balearic Islands (81.4%). The lowest percentages, on the other hand, are in the Community of Madrid (47.4 %), the Canary Islands (56.3%) and Navarra (61.7%).

Regarding labor unrest, Adecco points out that the number of strikes increased in the fourth quarter of 2022 for the sixth consecutive quarter, although at a more moderate pace. The national average thus rose to 12.3 conflicts per 100,000 companies (5.7% year-on-year).

Andalusia became the community with the lowest proportion of conflicts, with barely 1.9 strikes per 100,000 companies (-61.6%), while the Basque Country continued to lead, with 131.1 strikes, 35.3% more.

The number of workers who participated in strikes fell by 33.6% in the last quarter of 2022, accumulating its third consecutive quarterly cut, with 16.3 strikers for every 10,000 employed.