October 1, 2026
Employed and unemployed (provisional data) – August 2026
In August 2026, on a monthly basis, the number of employed people remains unchanged, the number of unemployed people increases and the number of inactive people decreases.
The substantial stability of employment, for both men and women, is a reflection of the increase in permanent employees and those aged 50 and older, and the decline in fixed-term employees, self-employed workers, 25-34-year-olds, and 35-49-year-olds. The number of employed people aged 15-24, however, remained unchanged.
The employment rate drops to 63,0% (-0,1 points).
The growth in the number of job seekers (+3,1%, equal to +48 thousand units) involves men, women and all age groups.
The unemployment rate rises to 6,2% (+0,2 points) and the youth unemployment rate to 20,3% (+0,6 points).
The decrease in inactive people aged 15 to 64 (-0,2%, or 21) concerns men and all age groups except those aged 35 to 49, where it is increasing; among women, however, inactivity is essentially stable.
The inactivity rate drops to 32,7% (-0,1 points).
Comparing the June-August 2026 quarter with the previous one (March-May 2026), there is an increase of 40 thousand employed people (+0,2%).
Compared to the previous quarter, the number of people looking for work also increased (+8,5%, equal to +123 thousand units), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 decreased (-1,3%, equal to -164 thousand units).
In August 2026, the growth in the number of employed people compared to August 2025 (+1,2%, equal to +291 thousand units) involves men, women, 25-34 year-olds and those at least 50 years old. Among 15-24 year-olds and 35-49 year-olds, however, the number of employed people decreases.
On an annual basis, the employment rate increased by 0,6 points.
Compared to August 2025, the number of people looking for work has increased (+8,8%, equal to +129 thousand units) and the number of inactive people between 15 and 64 years of age has decreased (-3,0%, equal to -381 thousand units).
Commentary – Employment and unemployment (provisional data) – June 2026
In August 2026, the number of employed people, equal to 24,352,000, was stable compared to the previous month.
The growth in permanent employees (16 million 669 thousand) is offset by the decrease in fixed-term employees (2 million 391 thousand) and self-employed workers (5 million 292 thousand).
The growth in employment compared to August 2025 (+291 thousand employed in one year) is a summary of the increase in permanent employees (+370 thousand) and self-employed workers (+78 thousand), and the decrease in fixed-term employees (-157 thousand).
On a monthly basis, the employment and inactivity rates decreased to 63,0% and 32,7%, respectively. The unemployment rate rose to 6,2%.
