According to the ational Employment Institute (INEM), unemployment fell by 20,794 in July, the third consecutive monthly decrease.
The total registered unemployed in Spain now stands at 3,544,095. Although there have been three consecutive months of decreases, this was preceded by 14 months of increases.
The Government is putting the fall in unemployment down to the Local Investment Plan (naturally) and the seasonal nature of employment in the tourist industry, especially considering that in July 2008, unemployment actually rose by 36,492.
The moderate (0.6%) decrease in unemployment is being viewed as good news, although it is still a little premature to be talking about a change in general trends.