CEPYME warns: August employment figures are conditioned by the regularization process and do not reflect the cost crisis facing SMEs

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Macroeconomic Analysis

The Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (CEPYME) warns that the August employment figures, showing over 22,3 million registered workers, are distorted by the extraordinary regularization process. The organization points to the serious impact of rising energy and input costs on the productive sector and expresses its concern about the situation in Ceuta.

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La Spanish Confederation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (CEPYME) It has analyzed the employment data for August 2026, warning that the growth in membership is conditioned by an exceptional measure and not by the real health of the productive fabric, which faces a severe cost crisis.

Although in seasonally adjusted terms August saw an increase of 83.844 employed individuals, bringing the total to over 22,3 million members, employers are focusing on the factors that distort this figure. According to CEPYME, extraordinary regularization process This is decisively influencing the interpretation of the data. The number of unemployed, also in seasonally adjusted figures, increased by 15.137 people.

The impact of regularization on membership figures

The business organization emphasizes that the apparent acceleration in employment is not due to an economic boom, but rather to a specific administrative measure. At the end of August, nearly 340.000 newly registered foreign workers were directly linked to this regularization process. This figure represents 70% of the total year-on-year increase in foreign workers and 50% of the overall increase in employment over the past year.

This analysis suggests that, without this extraordinary effect, the behavior of the labor market would show a more contained reality, aligned with the challenging scenario that Spanish SMEs face in the final stretch of 2026. A context marked by growing geopolitical tensions that lead to an increase in the cost of multiple inputs, especially energy.

Table: Breakdown of the employment analysis of CEPYME – August 2026.

Employment Indicator	Key Cipher	Analysis of CEPYME
Increase in members (seasonally adjusted)	+83.844 people	The total figure exceeds 22,3 million.
Increase in unemployment (seasonally adjusted)	+15.137 people	Second consecutive month of increase.
Affiliates linked to regularization	~340.000 foreigners	They represent 50% of the total year-on-year increase in members.

Concern over the cost crisis and the situation in Ceuta

CEPYME It draws attention to the impact this price surge has on smaller companies and strategic sectors. Among the hardest hit are the chemical, steel, and cement industries, as well as glass and paper manufacturing. Similarly, the primary sector is suffering the consequences of the high prices for diesel, fertilizers and pesticides, diminishing its competitiveness.

Finally, the confederation expresses its deep concern about the effect on employment in CeutaThis stems from the unique situation facing the autonomous city. In this regard, CEPYME reiterates its full support for the business owners represented by the Confederation of Businessmen of Ceuta (CECE) and to the entire Ceuta business community, composed mainly of SMEs. The organization is calling for a coordinated and swift response to restore security, confidence, and full economic normality to the city.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why does CEPYME believe that the August employment figures are not as positive as they seem?

Because growth is heavily influenced by an extraordinary regularization process for foreigners, which adds almost 340.000 members. This, according to the employers' association, masks the true situation of the productive sector, which is not experiencing a boom, but rather facing a cost crisis.

Which sectors are most affected by the increase in costs, according to the employers' association?

The most energy-intensive sectors are the most affected. CEPYME It specifically mentions the chemical, steel, cement, glass and paper manufacturing sectors, and the primary sector, the latter being heavily affected by the price of diesel and fertilizers.

What is CEPYME's position on the situation in Ceuta?

CEPYME expresses its concern about the negative impact on local employment. Reiterates its support for the Ceuta Business Confederation (CECE) and calls for coordinated and rapid action to restore security and economic normality in the autonomous city.