Employment and unemployment (quarterly)

Istat estimates that 23 million persons were employed in the 2^nd quarter 2012, down by 0.2% (-48 thousands) from the 2^nd quarter 2011. The employment rate decreased to 57.1%. Unemployment reached 2.7 million (+758 thousands persons), while the unemployment rate rise to 10.5%. The inactivity rate decreased to 36.1%.