Italy April jobless rate edges down to 5.1%, 123,000 jobs created
Italy's Unemployment and Employment Trends in April
Unemployment Rate Overview
ROME, May 29 (Reuters) - Italy's unemployment rate fell slightly to 5.1% in April and a net 123,000 jobs were created during the month, national statistics bureau ISTAT reported on Friday.
• The jobless rate was below a median forecast of 5.3% in a Reuters poll of eight analysts, following a 5.2% rate in March.
Youth Unemployment and Employment Rate
Youth Unemployment Rate at Record Low
• In April, the youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, fell to 16.9%, the lowest level since the current statistical series began in 2004, from 17.7% the previous month.
Overall Employment Rate Improvement
• The employment rate, one of the lowest in the euro zone, rose to 63.1% from 62.7% in March, revised up from 62.4%.
Inactivity Rate and Economic Context
Decline in Inactivity Rate
• The "inactivity rate", measuring people neither working nor looking for work, declined to 33.4% from 33.7% in March, ISTAT said.
Employment Growth Amid Weak Economy
• Employment has risen despite weak economic growth.
Government Growth Targets and GDP Performance
Current Government Growth Target
• Giorgia Meloni's government currently has a growth target of 0.6% for this year, revised marginally down last month due to surging energy prices and geopolitical tensions, from the 0.7% estimate set in September.
Recent GDP Growth Trends
Sub-1% Growth for Third Consecutive Year
• Italian gross domestic product rose 0.5% in 2025, a third straight year of sub-1% growth.
Reporting and Editorial Credits
(Reporting by Antonella Cinelli, graphic by Stefano Bernabei, editing by Gavin Jones)
