The unemployment rate in Italy edged down to 5.1% in April 2026 from 5.2% in March, below market expectations of 5.3%. This marked the lowest level since the current data series began in 2004, as the number of unemployed individuals fell by 18 thousand month-on-month to 1.31 million, with declines recorded among both men and women and across all age groups except those aged 35–49. The employment rate rose to 63.1% from 62.7% in each of the previous three months, with the number of employed persons rising by 123 thousand to a record 24.34 million. Despite the increase, the country's employment rate remained among the lowest in the euro zone. The inactivity rate decreased to 33.4%, the lowest in six months, from 33.7% a month ago. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell back to a record low of 16.9% from 17.7% in March. source: National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)

Unemployment Rate in Italy decreased to 5.10 percent in April from 5.20 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Italy averaged 9.26 percent from 1983 until 2026, reaching an all time high of 13.30 percent in November of 2014 and a record low of 5.10 percent in April of 2026. This page provides the latest reported value for - Italy Unemployment Rate - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news. Italy Unemployment Rate - data, historical chart, forecasts and calendar of releases - was last updated on May of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Italy decreased to 5.10 percent in April from 5.20 percent in March of 2026. Unemployment Rate in Italy is expected to be 5.90 percent by the end of this quarter, according to Trading Economics global macro models and analysts expectations. In the long-term, the Italy Unemployment Rate is projected to trend around 6.00 percent in 2027 and 5.90 percent in 2028, according to our econometric models.



Calendar GMT Reference Actual Previous Consensus TEForecast
2026-04-30 08:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Mar 5.2% 5.4% 5.3% 5.4%
2026-05-29 08:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Apr 5.1% 5.2% 5.3% 5.4%
2026-07-02 08:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
May 5.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 24336.92 24213.69 Thousand Apr 2026
Employment Rate 63.10 62.70 percent Apr 2026
Full Time Employment 15933.00 15793.00 Thousand Dec 2025
Job Vacancy Rate 1.60 1.70 percent Dec 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 66.60 66.30 percent Apr 2026
Labour Costs 111.60 111.30 points Dec 2025
Part Time Employment 2966.00 3041.00 thousand Dec 2025
Productivity 98.33 98.09 points Dec 2025
Unemployed Persons 1310.06 1327.66 Thousand Apr 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.10 5.20 percent Apr 2026
Wage Growth 2.40 2.70 percent Mar 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 114.50 114.10 points Mar 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 16.90 17.70 percent Apr 2026


Italy Unemployment Rate
In Italy, the unemployment rate measures the number of people actively looking for a job as a percentage of the labour force.
Actual Previous Highest Lowest Dates Unit Frequency
5.10 5.20 13.30 5.10 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Italy Jobless Rate Ticks Down to 5.1% in April
The unemployment rate in Italy edged down to 5.1% in April 2026 from 5.2% in March, below market expectations of 5.3%. This marked the lowest level since the current data series began in 2004, as the number of unemployed individuals fell by 18 thousand month-on-month to 1.31 million, with declines recorded among both men and women and across all age groups except those aged 35–49. The employment rate rose to 63.1% from 62.7% in each of the previous three months, with the number of employed persons rising by 123 thousand to a record 24.34 million. Despite the increase, the country's employment rate remained among the lowest in the euro zone. The inactivity rate decreased to 33.4%, the lowest in six months, from 33.7% a month ago. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell back to a record low of 16.9% from 17.7% in March.
2026-05-29
Italy Jobless Rate Falls to 5.2% in March
The unemployment rate in Italy fell to 5.2% in March 2026 from an upwardly revised 5.4% in February, slightly below market expectations of 5.3%. The number of unemployed individuals dropped by 38 thousand month-on-month to 1.32 million, with decreases observed across both genders and most age groups, except for those aged 15–24. The employment rate remained steady at 62.4%, with the number of employed persons falling by just 12 thousand to 24.12 million. The country’s employment rate continues to rank among the lowest in the euro zone. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, rose to 18.1% in March from a record low of 17.6% in February.
2026-04-30
Italy Jobless Rate Picks Up to 5.3%
The unemployment rate in Italy edged up to 5.3% in February 2026 from an upwardly revised 5.2% in January, which was the lowest level on record. The latest figure came in line with market expectations. The number of unemployed individuals rose by 36 thousand month-on-month, reaching 1.36 million. Meanwhile, the employment rate fell to 62.4% from 62.6%, with the number of employed persons falling by 29 thousand to 24.15 million. The drop affected both permanent and temporary employees, while the number of self-employed workers increased. The country’s employment rate remained among the lowest in the euro zone. Meanwhile, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, dropped to a record low of 17.6% in February from 18.5% in January. The inactivity rate held steady at 33.9%.
2026-04-01