Getafe Achieves Lowest Unemployment Rate in Nearly Two Decades

The Madrid town records fewer than 8,000 unemployed individuals for the first time in 19 years, a milestone attributed to local employment and training policies.

Generic image of a hand placing a block with a minus symbol, representing unemployment reduction.
IA

Generic image of a hand placing a block with a minus symbol, representing unemployment reduction.

The city of Getafe has reached a historic milestone by bringing the number of unemployed individuals below 8,000 for the first time in 19 years, reflecting the success of local employment policies.

The municipality of Getafe closed April 2026 with a total of 7,976 unemployed people, marking the best record since before the major global economic crisis. This achievement is particularly significant given that the city currently has over 40,000 more inhabitants compared to its previous low.
The municipal government emphasizes that this positive trend is a direct result of local policies implemented in employment, training, and economic development. Active collaboration with the business sector to attract investment and generate new job opportunities in the region is also highlighted.

"Municipal policies work when there is investment in training, assistance for those who need it most, and new companies are attracted."

the mayor of Getafe
Unemployment in Getafe has seen a consistent reduction, decreasing by 40% since 2015, when the current administration took office. In contrast, during the previous government, the number of unemployed reached over 16,000, more than double the current figure.
Part of this success is attributed to the work of the Local Employment and Training Agency of Getafe (ALEF), which recently renewed its EFQM 400+ Quality Seal for Management Excellence. This recognition, awarded on May 5 by the Club Excelencia en Gestión, validates ALEF's commitment to continuous improvement, innovation, and quality in public employment policies.
Throughout 2025, ALEF managed 10 employment promotion programs, facilitating the hiring of 300 people. Additionally, over 500 participants benefited from training activities, and more than 50 collaboration agreements were established with companies. The agency has also launched 16 new projects, including digital training programs and the development of personalized job placement pathways, in line with the 2024-2027 Employment Strategy.