The figure of 38,881 unemployed marks a significant milestone, as it is the first time the Tarragona demarcation has fallen below 40,000 people without work in a January since the start of the global financial crisis in 2008. Furthermore, compared to January 2025, unemployment has decreased by a notable 3.1%.

Despite the year-on-year improvement, January 2026 closed with a monthly unemployment increase of 1.23% compared to December 2025. This rebound is higher than that recorded across Catalonia, where the increase was 0.61%. Regarding employment, the demarcation (which includes Camp de Tarragona and Terres de l'Ebre) registered 339,748 affiliates to the Social Security as of January 31, 2026, a 2.2% increase compared to twelve months ago, although it fell 2.05% compared to the previous month.

Of the total 38,881 unemployed, the majority continue to be women, with 22,949 registered. Likewise, the group of young people under 25 years represents 3,206 individuals of the total.

The sectoral analysis reveals that the services sector suffered the most significant increase, adding 498 new unemployed individuals and accumulating the largest total number with 27,773 people. In contrast, construction registered a decrease of 63 unemployed people (down to 3,002), and agriculture reduced its number by six (down to 1,329). Industry maintained stable figures with 3,321 unemployed.