Employment and unemployment (quarterly)

Istat estimates that 22.1 million persons were employed in the 1^st quarter 2015, rising up 0.6% (+133 thousands) from 1^st quarter 2014. The employment rate increased to 55.5% (+0.4 percentage points). Unemployment decreased to 3.3 million (-145 thousands persons), and the unemployment rate fell off to 13.0%. The inactivity rate was unchanged at 36.1%.