After reaching for the first time the more than 22 million people employed in Spain in this second quarter of the year, the Government delegate in La Rioja, Beatriz Arraiz Nalda, has valued the progress of the Spanish economy and the quality employment that has been promoted for seven years.
“Spain is currently in a very positive moment of economic performance and this excellent situation is reflected in La Rioja,” he said.
At this time, at the midpoint of the legislature, the delegate has pointed out that the objective is to continue advancing on the same path of promotion of the economy and the welfare state.
In this way, he recalled that in July La Rioja reached the historic figure of 143,044 people affiliated to the Social Security, which means that they are contributing 14,112 more people than in June 2018, the last year of the Popular Party at the head of the Government of Spain.
In this regard, Arraiz Nalda added that “these excellent data reaffirm the Government’s commitment to job creation, which leads to job quality, job stability and the improvement of workers’ rights and conditions.”
The delegate of the Government has given as an example that in La Rioja has gone from 12,895 indefinite contracts in 2019 to 37,205 in 2025, which means 24,310 more indefinite contracts, that is, 188.5% more. “A large figure that demonstrates the importance of promoting quality employment, as is also the case of the increase in the Interprofessional Minimum Wage, which charges around 14,600 workers in the autonomous community,” he reported.
Another aspect that he highlighted is the average retirement pension, which has been increased in La Rioja to 1,454 euros per month, 425 euros more than in 2018.
“For this progressive government, it is essential that the wealth generated by the economy reaches all citizens, those who are working, those who worked and receive a pension and, of course, those who are preparing to do so in the future, as are our young people,” he insisted.
To illustrate this, it has specified that in the academic year 2024-2025, 9,720 scholarships were awarded in La Rioja, which were distributed in 5,633 for young university students, another 2,655 for non-university students and 1,432 to meet specific educational support needs.
Regional funding
In addition, Arraiz Nalda has described as fundamental “the financing of the autonomous communities to continue strengthening our Welfare State”.
He recalled that the Ministry of Finance sent a letter to the autonomous communities on Wednesday to inform them that they will receive the largest deliveries according to their history in 2026. “Once again, we reached a record figure that shows the good performance of the Spanish economy and the commitment of the Government of Spain to guarantee the territories the necessary resources to provide quality public services to citizens,” he said.
In particular, La Rioja will reach 1,440 million euros, 6% more than what it received in 2025 and, therefore, another record figure. In fact, to that amount must be added the 2024 liquidation forecast.
In addition, it has clarified that La Rioja has also received this week the payment of 94 million euros for the arrears of the non-updating of the 2025 account deliveries corresponding to the months of January to June and another 55 million euros from the payment of the final settlement of 2023 of the financing system.
“In just two days, the Government of Spain has transferred 149 million euros to the Rioja Executive, which guarantees the quality of the public services they provide and therefore benefit the social majority of the country,” he explained.
For Arraiz Nalda, “we confirm that La Rioja has improved its funding and there is no precedent that a central government has given so much support to our autonomous community. This is remarkable and must be valued because it is a firm commitment to the citizens, through unfunded funding that has a direct impact on the regional coffers and on the Rioja and Rioja.”
Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan
Finally, the delegate of the Government in La Rioja referred to the funds that from the Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan that have been allocated in the autonomous community.
In total, data from the end of June confirm that La Rioja has received 593 million euros, of which 237 million come from calls and tenders from the General Administration of the State and 356 million sectoral conferences. These funds have reached a total of 11,315 beneficiaries and are allowing the modernization of La Rioja and its municipalities.
“Thanks to the injection of European funds from the Recovery Plan, we are contributing decisively to the growth of the Rioja economy and that of the entire country,” he concluded.