Monthly report on Italian economy

According to recent data the international economy is still showing signs of weakness diffused to an increasing number of countries. Risks remain tilted to the downside.

In Italy, in the first quarter of 2019 the seasonally and calendar adjusted, chained volume measure of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) increased by 0.2% with respect to the previous quarter, interrupting the marginally negative trend of the second half of 2018.

In March, the labor market conditions improved. Employment rate increased while unemployment decreased, although remaining above the euro area average.

Inflation increased marginally with a lower intensity than in the euro area as a whole. Also in terms of core inflation, the gap widened.

In April, the consumer confidence decreased for the third time in a row. The worsening was broad-based to all the components. The leading indicator continued to fall although at a decelerating pace with respect to the previous period showing that Italian economy perspectives might improve in the coming months.