Spain: Unemployment rises as economic problems increase

According to official figures, the number of registered unemployed people rose by 23% in the year to July 2008, reflecting Spain's economic slowdown and severe problems in the construction sector.

According to the public employment services, registered unemployment rose by 36,492 (1.5%) from June to July 2008 to stand at 2,426,916 - a year-on-year increase of 456,578 (23.1%).