Number of National Insurance contributors rises by 569,817 year-on-year, the highest increase in the last decade

In year-on year terms, the first month of this year closed with 569,817 more contributors, an increase of 3.33%, the best rate since 2007. This increase is largely due to the good performance of the General Regime which saw an increase of 541,828 workers (up 3.9%).

Comparison with previous month

The General Regime posted a fall of 157,634 contributors (down 1.08%), to stand at 14,432,274. In January, a fall in contributors was seen in almost all sectors; notable among these were the Sale and Repair of Cars and Motorcycles, down 36,453 (-1.55%); the Hotel and Catering industry, down 33,216 (-2.99%); Administrative Activities and Auxiliary Services, down 28,084 (-2.34%) and Healthcare Activities and Social Services, down 10,303 (-0.73%).

The Special System for Agricultural Workers fell by 791 contributors (down 0.1%), to stand at 813,181. In turn, the Special System for Domestic Workers fell by 5,837 contributors (down 1.36%), to stand at a total of 422,008 workers.

3,177,431 contributors were registered under the Regime for Self-Employed Workers, following a decline of 16,778 (down 0.53%).

The Special Regime for Seamen saw a decrease of 347 workers (down 0.58%) to stand at 59,874. Finally, the Regime for Coal Workers now stands at 2,505 contributors following a decrease of 121 people in the last month (down 4.46%).

In terms of seasonally-adjusted figures, which is essential to see the trend in contributor numbers, there have now been 37 consecutive positive months, with this being the highest monthly increase on record, with 67,460 new contributors.

Affiliation to the Social Security system in January fell in all autonomous regions, Notable among these were Catalonia (down 31,068), the Region of Madrid (down 24,904), the Region of Valencia (down 25,852) and Andalusia (down 18,385).

Comparison with 2016

In year-on-year terms, the system has seen an increase of 569,817 workers, up 3.33%. Specifically the performance of the General Regime stands out, with an increase of 541,828 workers (up 3.9%).

The Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers enjoyed an increase of 27,959 contributors, up 0.89%. The Regime for Seamen rose by 1.67% (up 982), while the Regime for Coal Workers posted a decline of 952 contributors (down 26.85%).

Compared with last year, the number of workers increased in all provinces and autonomous regions, except Melilla. Particularly noteworthy were the Balearic Islands (up 5.58), the Canary Islands (up 5.37%), Catalonia (up 3.95%) and the Region of Valencia (up 3.81%).