More people in Spain are now seeking employment in the country after government statistics showed the joblessness rate has climbed again.

The nation, which has the highest proportion of people out of work in the eurozone, saw the number of individuals in paid roles decline by 146,800 over the third quarter of 2011.

A total of 18.16 million people were in work in the country at the end of September this year, while the economically-active population dropped by 2,100 and unemployment rose by 144,700 to stand at 4.98 million.

Joblessness for the quarter stood at 21.51 per cent, with losses in the services, construction and agriculture sectors and the overall activity continued to lie above 60 per cent.

Spain had just under 1.43 million households with no active members employed at the end of September 2011.

A new bailout agreement for the 17-member eurozone that was reached this week by politicians in Brussels could help to boost employment in Spain in the future by strengthening the nation's economy.

Posted by Alex Donnell