New figures show more than 600,000 people in Spain now working multiple jobs

The number of people working more than one job in Spain has reached its highest level in two decades, according to the latest Labour Force Survey (EPA) figures published by the National Statistics Institute (INE). More than 600,000 people are now classed as pluriempleados (plueriemployed), meaning they combine two or more jobs or economic activities at the same time. The increase has been driven largely by self-employed workers, or autónomos, many of whom are supplementing their income through secondary employment, freelance activities or platform-based work.

Reporting based on the EPA data describes the current level of multi-job employment as the highest recorded in around 20 years. The rise comes despite Spain maintaining relatively strong employment levels compared with previous economic downturns. However, labour analysts say headline employment figures increasingly hide pressure on household finances and the weakening purchasing power affecting many workers.

Inflation and living costs continue to pressure households

The growth in pluriempleo has been linked directly to the rising cost of living across Spain. Housing, food and energy prices increased sharply following the inflation surge linked to the Covid-19 pandemic and the economic impact of the war in Ukraine. Spain’s inflation rate exceeded 10 per cent during the peak of the cost-of-living crisis, with electricity, fuel and supermarket prices rising particularly quickly. Although inflation has slowed since those peaks, many everyday products remain considerably more expensive than they were in 2021.

Several labour studies published in Spain during the past year show that wages have frequently failed to keep pace with inflation. While many workers have received salary increases, a large proportion report that pay rises remain below the overall increase in living costs, reducing real purchasing power. Trade unions argue that this has contributed to the growing phenomenon of “working poverty”, where employment no longer guarantees financial stability or sufficient income to cover basic expenses comfortably.

Housing costs adding further financial strain

Housing remains one of the biggest pressures on workers across Spain, particularly in major cities and coastal regions where rental prices continue rising faster than salaries. Madrid, Barcelona, Málaga and the Balearic Islands have experienced especially strong increases in housing demand in recent years. Limited rental supply, population growth and tourism-related demand have all contributed to higher accommodation costs.

For many workers, relying on a single salary is becoming increasingly difficult. Some are taking on evening shifts, weekend employment or freelance digital work to supplement income. Others have moved into ride-hailing services, delivery platforms or temporary secondary jobs alongside their primary employment. Part-time and temporary contracts also remain common in sectors including hospitality, tourism, logistics and retail. Although labour reforms introduced by the Spanish government reduced the use of temporary contracts in some industries, analysts say lower-paid and unstable employment still affects many workers.

Autónomos among the most exposed workers

Self-employed workers are considered particularly vulnerable to rising economic pressure because many face increasing business costs alongside weaker consumer spending. Autónomos have experienced higher expenses linked to fuel, transport, taxation, social security contributions and operational overheads in recent years.

For some, secondary work has become a way of stabilising income during periods of fluctuating demand or seasonal activity. Others are combining salaried work with self-employment to create more reliable monthly earnings. Economists note that increases in multi-job employment are often associated with periods where inflation weakens household purchasing power and workers struggle to maintain previous living standards.

Concerns over long hours and financial insecurity

The increase in pluriempleo has also raised concerns about fatigue, work-life balance and long-term financial insecurity. Workers balancing multiple jobs frequently face extended working hours, irregular schedules and fewer opportunities for rest. Trade unions warn that dependence on several income sources may become more common if wage growth continues to lag behind housing and living costs.

Although Spain’s labour market remains considerably stronger than during the aftermath of the 2008 financial crisis, the latest EPA figures suggest that a growing number of workers now require multiple forms of employment simply to maintain financial stability. For many households, multi-job working is no longer temporary extra income but an increasingly necessary response to rising costs and reduced purchasing power across the Spanish economy.