The number of registered jobless in Spain fell in July from a month earlier, the fifth straight month of declines, the Labour Ministry said on Friday (August 2) , boosted by seasonal factors including a strong tourist season.

Jobless numbers fell by 1.4 percent in July, or by 64,866 people, leaving 4.7 million people out of work, the data showed.

Registered jobless numbers rose 2.4 percent in July from a year earlier, the ministry figures showed.

Spanish unemployment has soared to record levels since the property bubble burst in 2008 and is expected to remain high for years to come as the battered economy, in recession since the end of 2011, struggles to return to sustainable growth.

Although jobless numbers fell in July, there are almost 3.5 million long-term jobless in Spain according to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

The Labour Ministry said registered jobless figures tend to be lower than the statistics institute's estimates as the disillusioned long-term unemployed, whose benefits end after two years, stop signing on.

The number of people registering as out of work in July fell in all the main economic sectors, with the largest drop seen in the service industry, down 37,614 people, or 1.3 percent, boosted by a strong tourism season.

Presented by Adam Justice