The number of people claiming unemployment benefit in Spain rose by 112,269 in January, taking the overall figure to 4.7 million.

Spain's unemployment rate stands at 22.9%, the highest in the 17-nation eurozone.

The Spanish economy posted negative growth in the fourth quarter of last year and is expected to enter recession this quarter.

The new right-leaning Popular Party government has introduced a series of reforms in a desperate attempt to shake up the economy but it acknowledges that unemployment is likely to continue rising throughout this year.