Southern Gran Canaria is consolidating its position as the economic capital of the Canary Islands. It maintains a solid employment profile. The latest official data, obtained by Maspalomas24H, indicate that the municipality had 3.128 registered unemployed, representing 8,06% of the working population (16-64 years old). This figure reflects a year-on-year drop of 9,31%, the sharpest in the province, demonstrating a sustained recovery after the economic slowdown of previous years.
Female unemployment remains the highest, with 1.736 women compared to 1.392 men. Among young people under 25, however, there is a slight increase in female unemployment (13,24% year-over-year), while male unemployment in the same age group decreased by 4,76%, indicating the persistent challenges facing young women in the labor market in the municipality.
In August, 3.584 contracts were registered, of which 64,09% were temporary. Although the annual variation shows an increase of 2,81%, the monthly decrease of 14,46% reflects the seasonality linked to tourism and the service sector, the economic engine of the region. Permanent contracts only represent 32,98%, while 2,93% were converted from temporary to permanent, highlighting the difficulty of consolidating stable employment.
The services sector accounts for virtually all employment, with 3.488 contracts, or 97,32% of the total, while agriculture, industry, and construction continue to play a marginal role in the local market. San Bartolomé de Tirajana has 39.184 Social Security registrations, representing a year-on-year increase of 2,07% and a slight monthly increase of 0,96%. The majority of workers (85,88%) belong to the general system, while the self-employed represent 12,87%, and the agricultural, household, and maritime sectors barely account for the remaining 1,26%.
Demographic and dependency challenges
With 38.830 people between the ages of 16 and 64 and a total population of 54.976, the municipality has a dependency ratio of 41,58%, slightly lower than the provincial average (41,93%). The aging rate, at 161,43%, exceeds the island average (135,22%), while the foreign population reaches 28,53%, reflecting the tourist and residential appeal of the area, which faces structural challenges: high temporary employment, gender inequality among young people, and an aging population that strains workforce renewal. The stability of social security affiliations and the year-over-year decline in unemployment are positive signs, but the municipality must diversify its economic base and strengthen stable job creation to sustain its long-term growth.
