Employment and unemployment (provisional data) - July 2026

IIn July 2026, the number of employed remained stable, while the number of unemployed people and the number of inactive people decreased.

On a monthly basis, the stability of employment was the result of a growth among men and those aged    35-49, and a decline among women and those in other age groups. Overall, the employment rate remained steady at 63.2%.

In the last month, the drop in the number of unemployed people (-1.1%, -17 thousand) affected men and all age groups except those aged 35-49, for whom unemployment increased, as it did for women. The unemployment rate fell to 5.8% (-0.1 p.p.), while the youth rate rose to 18.9% (+0.2 p.p.).

In July, the decrease in the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-0.1%, -17 thousand) affected men and those aged 35-49. In all other age groups inactivity increased, while it was stable for women. The inactivity rate remained unchanged at 33.8%.

In the quarter May-July 2026, with respect to the previous one (February-April 2026), employment rose (+0.4%, +91 thousand).

On a quarterly basis, a growth was registered in the number of unemployed persons (+3.4%, +49 thousand), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 fell (-1.2%, -144 thousand).

Compared to July 2025, the number of employed persons increased (+1.3%, +307 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 (+0.8 p.p.).

On a yearly basis, the number of unemployed people fell (-0.9%, -14 thousand), as did the number of inactive people aged 15-64 (-2.5%, -307 thousand).