The unemployment rate in Italy decreased to 5.1% in January 2026, following a downwardly revised 5.5% in December 2025, below market forecasts of 5.6% and marking the lowest level on record. The number of unemployed individuals dropped by 99 thousand from a month earlier to 1.305 million. Meanwhile, the employment rate rose to 62.6% from 62.4%, with the economy adding 80 thousand jobs during the month. Job gains were concentrated among men and across all age groups except those aged 15-24. In addition, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 to 24 years old, fell to an eleven-month low of 18.9% in January from 20.9% in the previous month. The inactivity rate edged higher to 33.9% from 33.8%. source: National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT)

Unemployment Rate in Italy decreased to 5.10 percent in January from 5.50 percent in December of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Italy averaged 9.28 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 January 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 March of 2026.

Unemployment Rate in Italy decreased to 5.10 percent in January from 5.50 percent in December of 2025. Unemployment Rate in Italy is expected to be 5.70 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
2026-01-30 09:30 AM
Unemployment Rate
Dec 5.6% 5.6% 5.8% 5.9%
2026-03-04 09:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Jan 5.1% 5.5% 5.6% 5.6%
2026-04-01 08:00 AM
Unemployment Rate
Feb 5.1%


Related Last Previous Unit Reference
Employed Persons 24180.98 24101.12 Thousand Jan 2026
Employment Rate 62.60 62.40 percent Jan 2026
Full Time Employment 15793.00 15781.00 Thousand Sep 2025
Job Vacancy Rate 1.70 1.80 percent Sep 2025
Labor Force Participation Rate 66.10 66.20 percent Jan 2026
Labour Costs 111.50 110.60 points Sep 2025
Part Time Employment 3041.00 3180.00 thousand Sep 2025
Productivity 97.91 98.50 points Sep 2025
Unemployed Persons 1305.20 1404.65 Thousand Jan 2026
Unemployment Rate 5.10 5.50 percent Jan 2026
Wage Growth 2.80 2.90 percent Jan 2026
Wages in Manufacturing 113.80 113.40 points Jan 2026
Youth Unemployment Rate 18.90 20.50 percent Jan 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 5.50 13.30 5.10 1983 - 2026 percent Monthly
SA

News Stream
Italy Jobless Rate Falls to Record Low
The unemployment rate in Italy decreased to 5.1% in January 2026, following a downwardly revised 5.5% in December 2025, below market forecasts of 5.6% and marking the lowest level on record. The number of unemployed individuals dropped by 99 thousand from a month earlier to 1.305 million. Meanwhile, the employment rate rose to 62.6% from 62.4%, with the economy adding 80 thousand jobs during the month. Job gains were concentrated among men and across all age groups except those aged 15-24. In addition, the youth unemployment rate, measuring jobseekers between 15 to 24 years old, fell to an eleven-month low of 18.9% in January from 20.9% in the previous month. The inactivity rate edged higher to 33.9% from 33.8%.
2026-03-04
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%.
2026-01-08
Italy Jobless Rate Falls to 6%
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.
2025-12-02