MADRID/SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE Jan. 12 (EUROPA PRESS) –
In 2024, the Special Regime for Self-Employed Workers (RETA) witnessed an increase of 42,396 newly affiliated self-employed individuals, representing an uptick of 1.3% in comparison to the previous period. Out of these, 3,812 are from the Canary Islands, which translates to a rise of 2.7%, according to the Association of Self-Employed Workers (ATA).
A significant portion of the national increase in self-employed workers can be attributed to the Community of Madrid and Andalusia, which together account for a total of 21,527 new affiliations.
Additionally, the Valencian Community has also shown remarkable growth, with 8,514 new self-employed individuals, while Catalonia added 7,314 more affiliates. In percentage terms, both the Balearic Islands and the Canary Islands lead with an increase of 2.7% each.
Meanwhile, the regions experiencing the most significant declines in self-employed workers include Castilla y León, which saw a decrease of 1,584 members in the RETA; Galicia, down 788; Asturias, losing 643; and Aragón, with a reduction of 243 self-employed individuals.
Málaga stands out as the province with the highest growth in self-employed workers in 2024, recording a 3.7% increase compared to the previous year, equating to 4,931 additional affiliates. This indicates that nearly half of the new self-employed workers in Andalusia originate from Málaga.
THE BLEEDING CONTINUES IN TRADE
The commerce sector has seen a loss of nearly 9,000 self-employed workers within the RETA, reflecting a 1.2% decline from 2023. This is followed by agriculture, which noted a reduction of 3,700 self-employed individuals, and the industry sector registered a drop of 2,370 affiliates.
In contrast, other sectors are faring better and are paving the way for new business opportunities. Notably, there has been a 4.4% increase in professional, scientific or technical activities, as well as real estate, along with a 9.2% rise in the communication sector, adding 7,340 more self-employed workers.
Regarding gender dynamics, women are propelling the growth of self-employed individuals, contributing a total of 22,237 new affiliations, which is 1.8% higher than in 2023.