Canary Islands Reach Historic Record for Self-Employed Workers as Unemployment Falls
The Canary Islands are ending September 2026 with encouraging news for the local economy, with the number of people working for themselves reaching a new historic high while registered unemployment has fallen to its lowest level in almost two decades.
According to the latest figures published by the Government of the Canary Islands, 148,807 people are now registered as self-employed in the archipelago. That is 628 more than in August and 3,207 more than in September 2025 — an annual increase of 2.20%.
For residents, entrepreneurs and anyone considering setting up a business in the Canary Islands, the figures provide an interesting snapshot of how the labour market is developing. For visitors, they are also another indication of the economic activity supporting the islands’ busy tourism and service sectors.
Unemployment in the Canary Islands reaches lowest level since 2007
September brought an especially notable improvement in unemployment. Registered unemployment fell by 4,156 people compared with August, a monthly reduction of 2.88%.
There were 140,303 registered unemployed people at the end of September. The Government of the Canary Islands says this is the lowest registered unemployment figure since December 2007.
Compared with September 2025, unemployment is down by 5,070 people, or 3.49%.
Long-term unemployment has also moved in a positive direction. There were 62,835 people registered as long-term unemployed, 491 fewer than the previous month and 4,469 fewer than a year earlier. This is the lowest figure for long-term unemployment since January 2009.
More people working across the Canary Islands
The wider employment figures also point towards continued growth. Average Social Security affiliation reached 974,246 people in September, an increase of 10,454 compared with August and 28,994 more than in September 2025.
That represents annual growth of around 3.1%.
The figures matter because Social Security affiliation includes people working across different parts of the economy, giving a broader picture than unemployment figures alone. The Canary Islands have a large services sector, with tourism playing a particularly important role, so employment trends can have a direct effect on businesses and communities throughout the islands.
A new record for self-employed workers in the Canary Islands
One of the most striking figures is the record number of autónomos — self-employed workers — now registered in the Canary Islands.
The total of 148,807 represents an increase of 628 people in just one month. Over the last year, the number has risen by 3,207, equivalent to almost nine additional self-employed workers per day on average.
The annual growth rate of 2.20% is above the national average of 2.06%.
For the islands, where many small businesses, independent professionals, tradespeople, hospitality operators and other entrepreneurs form an important part of the economy, the increase in autónomos is significant.
What does this mean for Lanzarote?
Here in Lanzarote, the wider Canary Islands employment picture is particularly relevant. The island’s economy is closely connected with tourism, hospitality, retail, construction, transport and a wide range of small businesses and independent services.
September unemployment on Lanzarote also fell. The island recorded 6,791 unemployed people, 165 fewer than in August, representing a monthly fall of 2.4%.
Six of Lanzarote’s seven municipalities saw unemployment fall during September. Tías was the exception, recording a small monthly increase, while Teguise, Tinajo and Haría recorded some of the larger monthly reductions.
It is worth remembering that monthly employment figures can move for many reasons, including seasonal patterns. September is an important month for the Canary Islands because the summer holiday period changes the demand for workers in tourism and related industries. A single month therefore does not tell the whole story, but the longer-term trend is still encouraging.
Support for autónomos and new businesses
The Canary Islands Government has also highlighted several measures introduced or available during 2026 to support people working for themselves.
These include the “cuota cero” initiative aimed at helping eligible self-employed workers with the cost of social-security contributions, as well as programmes relating to work-life balance, first recruitment, productive investment, temporary incapacity and support for autónomos experiencing difficulties.
There are also measures designed to help people who want to start or consolidate a business in the Canary Islands.
For anyone considering becoming self-employed in Lanzarote, however, the exact eligibility requirements and application deadlines should always be checked with the relevant official authorities before making financial decisions.
Why these figures matter to residents and visitors
For residents, falling unemployment and rising employment can mean more people earning an income and contributing to the local economy. A healthy small-business sector can also
help maintain the cafés, restaurants, shops, trades and independent services that make communities across Lanzarote distinctive.
For visitors, these trends may seem far removed from a holiday in Lanzarote, but tourism is deeply connected with employment on the islands. Hotels, restaurants, excursion companies, taxi drivers, shops, activity providers and countless smaller businesses depend on a steady flow of visitors.
The strength of the local economy therefore matters to the holiday experience as well as to the people who live and work here.
A positive picture, but not the whole story
The latest figures are undoubtedly positive, but they should not be interpreted as meaning that every business or household in the Canary Islands is thriving.
The cost of living, housing availability, wages, recruitment difficulties and the seasonal nature of some tourism-related employment remain important issues for residents and businesses.
What the September figures do show is that several key labour-market indicators are moving in a favourable direction at the same time: unemployment has fallen, Social Security affiliation has reached a record level and the number of self-employed workers has reached a historic high.
For Lanzarote and the wider Canary Islands, that provides a positive starting point as the islands move into the autumn and winter tourism season.
Key figures at a glance
• 148,807 self-employed workers in the Canary Islands — a historic record. • 628 more autónomos than in August 2026. • 3,207 more self-employed workers than in September 2025. • 140,303 registered unemployed people in September. • 4,156 fewer unemployed people than in August. • 5,070 fewer unemployed people than a year earlier. • 974,246 average Social Security affiliations in September. • 28,994 more Social Security affiliations than a year earlier. • 6,791 registered unemployed people in Lanzarote. • 165 fewer unemployed people on Lanzarote than in August.
