Spain Set for 'Significant' Jobs Boost in 2014

The Spanish government has predicted the embattled country's fortunes will turn a corner in 2014 as job creation during the year will be "significant".

Luis de Guindos, the nation's economy minister, shared the positive prediction during an interview on one of Spain's national radio stations, Cadena Ser.

"2014 will see the net creation of jobs, higher even than we predicted in September in the budget, and the jobless rate will fall," he said.

Guindos also said the economic recovery would take root thanks to an expected tax reform which would look to reverse a personal income tax rise implemented when the government came to power in 2011, and cut corporate taxes while reducing corporate tax deductions.

Despite Spain exiting recession in the third financial quarter of last year, the country still faces a staggeringly high predicted unemployment rate (25.9%) in 2014.

In addition, Spaniards do not seem to be sharing Guindos' optimistic stance.

A large majority (71%) of 1,000 respondents questioned by newspaper El Mundo said they believe the recovery and the end of the country's crisis will start next year – at the earliest.

Last month the Ministry of Employment and Social Security revealed the total jobless figure in the country stood at 4,808,908 in November - a fall of 2,475 compared to the month before.

The government also said registered unemployment decreased by 98,909 people in the last year.

Engracia Hidalgo, Spain's Secretary of State for Employment, stressed the data reflected improvements seen in other aspects of the country's economy.

"We still have much work ahead, but we are convinced that the reforms adopted are the way necessary for our economy growing again and face retrieval from a more solid base, allowing the creation of stable and quality employment," added Hidalgo.