Employment

In 2Q26, GDP grew by 0.7% q/q, one tenth above expectations, reinforcing the upward bias on the growth forecast for 2026. Domestic demand gained strength, driven by private consumption and investment. Employment maintained a solid advance, although productivity showed an uneven evolution.

Colombia’s economy will grow 2.6% in 2026, ease to 2.3% in 2027, and rebound to 3.1% in 2028. The 2027 slowdown will be temporary as growth shifts from public to private-sector support, which will strengthen in 2028. Fiscal imbalances and inflation remain the key challenges ahead.

The Spanish labor market shows a duality: strong job creation but stagnant productivity. In this context, generative artificial intelligence (AI) emerges as an opportunity, although its impact will be uneven. Exposure to AI is higher in skilled occupations and in regions like Madrid.

In this edition of the QLMO, we analyse labour market developments based on data available through Q2 2026. We take stock of the main aggregate indicators and examine occupational exposure to generative AI, as well as its relationship with the occupational structure of employment and labour market entry.

The economy of La Rioja will maintain solid growth. GDP would grow by 1.8% in 2026 and 2.2% in 2027, supported by employment, consumption, and investment, but conditioned by industrial weakness, exports, and a more adverse external environment.

The Spanish economy is growing above the Eurozone average, driven by domestic demand and employment. However, it faces crucial challenges such as stagnant productivity and weak investment, which limit the increase in added value and long-term well-being.

Despite these gains, remittances declined by 6.5% in real terms in July, due to inflation and, primarily, the depreciation of the US dollar. Since reaching their peak in July 2022, remittances to Mexico have fallen by 24.8% in real terms, negatively affecting the income of recipient households over the past four years.