Statistics error shows unemployment above 20%

Spain''s jobless rate rose by 286,200 in the first economic quarter of this year, taking the total number of unemployed up to 4,612,700, a percentage of 20.05%, Spanish national daily ABC revealed on Tuesday citing figures yet to be officially published by the national statistics office of Spain (INE), but which were released due to a computer error.

ABC disclosed the results of a survey conducted on the Active Population which the INE "posted on its website in error" and were “temporary available” although they were not to be officially published until Friday April 30th.

The rate of unemployment registered in the first financial quarter of these year has reached its highest level since the end of 1997, when it reached 20,11%.

Basque Country and Navarre

The Basque Autonomous Community registered the lowest level of unemployment in the country, 10.91%, followed by Navarre, with a rate of 12,32% and Cantabria, 14.49%. The Canary Islands, meanwhile, recorded the highest number of unemployed with a rate of 27.68%, followed in second place by Andalusia (27.21%) and third place Murcia, on 23.17%.

The INE will publish the definitive results of its survey this Friday as previously intended.