MOSCOW, (Sputnik) — The number of people receiving unemployment benefits in Spain fell by 6.2 percent in December 2014, compared to the same month in the previous year, the Spanish Ministry of Employment said on Tuesday.
Over 57 percent of Spain's jobless are receiving benefits now compared to 61.4 percent in 2013.
The report published by the ministry also highlights a decrease in the percentage of foreign nationals receiving jobseeker allowance in Spain.
The decrease in unemployment benefits is most noticeable among Spanish residents from non-EU countries — dropping by 19.3 percent, while the number of successful claimants from EU member countries has only fallen by 10 percent.
The total amount allocated by the Spanish government for jobseeker benefits has also decreased. In 2014, an unemployed person received approximately 809 euros ($918), which is almost 50 euros less than what a claimant received during the same month in 2013.
Spain's economic situation has been steadily improving since the country worked its way out of recession in summer 2013.
