Employment and unemployment (quarterly)

Istat estimates that 22.8 million persons were employed in the 1^st quarter 2012, down by 0.4% (-81 thousands) from the 1^st quarter 2011. The employment rate decreased to 56.5%. Unemployment reached 2.8 million (+646 thousands persons), while the unemployment rate rise to 10.9%. The inactivity rate decreased to 36.4%.