Employment and unemployment (provisional data) - August 2026

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

On a monthly basis, the substantial stability of employment was the result of a decline among men and those aged 35-49 and a growth among those under 35, while employment among women and those aged 50 and over remained unchanged. Overall, the employment rate was steady at 63.0%.

In the last month, the increase in the number of unemployed people (+0.3%, +4 thousand) affected women and those aged 25-49, while among men and other age groups unemployment decreased. The unemployment rate remained stable at 6.3%, while the youth one fell to 19.9% (-0.4 p.p.).

In September, the stability in the number of inactive people aged 15-64 was the result of a growth among men and those aged 35 and over, coupled with a decline among women and those under 35. The inactivity rate remained unchanged at 32.7%.

In the quarter July-September 2026, with respect to the previous one (April-June 2026), employment fell    (-0.1%, -13 thousand).

On a quarterly basis, a growth was registered in the number of unemployed persons (+7.2%, +108 thousand), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 fell (-0.8%, -101 thousand).

Compared to September 2025, the number of employed persons increased (+0.8%, +198 thousand); the rise affected both sexes and all age groups except those aged 35-49, for whom employment fell. Over the year, the employment rate grew (+0.4 p.p.).

On a yearly basis, the number of unemployed people rose (+7.8%, +117 thousand), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 fell (-2.4%, -293 thousand).