Overview

• Italy recorded a decrease of 16,000 employed individuals in March 2025, with the unemployment rate rising to 6.0%, up 0.1 percentage points from February.
• Youth unemployment saw a sharper increase, climbing 1.6 percentage points to reach 19.0%, reflecting ongoing challenges for under-35 workers.
• Despite the monthly decline, annual employment figures show growth of 450,000 jobs compared to March 2024, driven by gains among permanent employees and the self-employed.
• Demographic disparities persist, as March’s job losses primarily affected women, younger workers, temporary employees, and the self-employed, while men and permanent employees saw gains.
• The data comes ahead of a May 8 meeting between the government and social partners, where labor market reforms and concerns over stagnant wages are expected to take center stage.