Employment and unemployment (provisional data) - August 2026

In August 2026, the number of employed remained stable, while the number of unemployed people grew and the number of inactive people decreased.

On a monthly basis, the stability of employment, also observed for men and women, was the result of a growth among those aged 50 and over, and a decline among those aged 25-34 and 35-49, while employment for 15-24 year olds remained unchanged. Overall, the employment rate declined to 63.0%        (-0.1 p.p.).

In the last month, the increase in the number of unemployed people (+3.1%, +48 thousand) affected both sexes and all age groups. The unemployment rate climbed to 6.2% (+0.2 p.p.), while the youth rate rose to 20.3% (+0.6 p.p.).

In August, the decrease in the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-0.2%, -21 thousand) affected men and all age groups except those aged 35-49, for whom inactivity rose, while it was stable for women. The inactivity rate dropped to 32.7% (-0.1 p.p.).

In the quarter June-August 2026, with respect to the previous one (March-May 2026), employment rose (+0.2%, +40 thousand).

On a quarterly basis, a growth was registered in the number of unemployed persons (+8.5%, +123 thousand), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 fell (-1.3%, -164 thousand).

Compared to August 2025, the number of employed persons increased (+1.2%, +291 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 rose (+8.8%, +129 thousand), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 fell (-3.0%, -381 thousand).