Italy Jobless Rate Hits Record Low

The unemployment rate in Italy edged down to 5.7% in November 2025 from a downwardly revised 5.8% in October, below market forecasts of 6% and marking the lowest level on record. The number of unemployed individuals dropped by 30 thousand from a month earlier to 1.469 million. Meanwhile, the employment rate went down to 62.6% from 62.7%, with the economy shedding 34 thousand jobs during the month. Job losses were concentrated among women, fixed-term employees, and the self-employed, as well as in the 15-24 and 35-49 age groups. Italy’s employment rate remained among the lowest in the euro zone. In addition, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell to a nine-month low of 18.8% in November from 19.6% in October. The inactivity rate rose slightly to 33.5% from 33.3%.

The unemployment rate in Italy fell to 6% in October 2025, below expectations of 6.1% and down from 6.2% in September. Jobseekers declined by 59 thousand from a month earlier to 1.528 million, while the employment rate rose to 62.7%, supported by a 75-thousand increase in employed persons across both genders, employment types, and most age groups. Youth unemployment also dropped sharply to 19.8% from 21.7%. The inactivity rate held steady at 33.2%. Over the August–October period, employment was broadly stable compared with the previous quarter, while unemployment fell by 71 thousand and inactivity edged up slightly. On an annual basis, employed persons increased by 224 thousand, driven by gains among permanent employees and the self-employed, while both unemployment and inactivity declined from October 2024.

The unemployment rate in Italy inched up to 6.1% in September 2025 from 6% in each of the previous two months, matching market expectations. This was the highest jobless rate since June, as the number of unemployed individuals increased by 31 thousand from a month earlier to 1.582 million. At the same time, the employment rate edged higher to 62.7% from 62.5%, with the number of employed persons rising by 67 thousand to a record 24.22 million. The labor force participation rate also went up to 66.9% from 66.7%. The youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, rose to a four-month high of 20.6% in September from 19.7% in August.