Employment and unemployment - April 2026

In April 2026 the number of employed people increased, while the number of inactive and unemployed people decreased.

On a monthly basis, employment grew (+0.5%, +123 thousand) for both sexes and all age groups except for those aged 35-49, for whom employment remained substantially unchanged. Overall, the employment rate rose to 63.1% (+0.3 p.p.).

In the last month, the drop in the number of unemployed people (-1.3%, -18 thousand) affected men, women and all age groups, with the exception of 35-49-year-olds, among whom unemployment increased.

The unemployment rate declined to 5.1% (-0.1 p.p.), while the youth rate fell to 16.9% (-0.8 p.p.). In April, the decrease in the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-0.8%, -102 thousand) affected both sexes and all ge groups. The inactivity rate dropped to 33.4% (-0.3 p.p.).

In the quarter February-April 2026, with respect to the previous one (November 2025-January 2026),employment rose (+0.4%, +108 thousand).

On a quarterly basis, a drop was registered in the number of unemployed persons (-4.3%, -60 thousand) and in the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-0.4%, -46 thousand).

Compared with April 2025, the number of employed persons increased (+1.1%, +269 thousand); the rise affected both sexes, the 25-34 and 50+ age groups, while employment decreased among those aged 15-24 and 35-49. Over the year, the employment rate grew (+0.6 p.p.).

On a yearly basis, the number of unemployed people fell (-16.6%, -260 thousand) as well as the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-0.1%, -13 thousand)