Employment and unemployment (provisional estimates) - February 2026

In February 2026 the number of employed people decreased, while the number of unemployed people increased and the number of inactive people remained substantially stable.

On a monthly basis, employment fell (-0.1%, -29 thousand) for men and those aged 25-49, while it grew among women and in the 15-24 and 50+ age groups. Overall, the employment rate declined to 62.4% (-0.1 percentage point).

In the last month, the rise in the number of unemployed people (+2.7%, +36 thousand) affected both sexes and all age groups except for those aged 15-24, for whom unemployment dropped. The unemployment rate rose to 5.3% (+0.1 p.p.), while the youth rate fell to 17.6% (-1.0 p.p.).

In February, the number of inactive people aged 15-64 was substantially unchanged, although it increased among men and those aged 15-49, and decreased among women and those aged 50 and over. The inactivity rate remained at 33.9% .

In the quarter December 2025-February 2026, with respect to the previous one (September-November 2025), employment rose (+0.1%, +20 thousand).

On a quarterly basis, a drop was registered in the number of unemployed persons (-8.0%, -119 thousand) while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 increased (+0.9%, +117 thousand).

Compared with February 2025, the number of employed persons increased (+0.1%, +13 thousand); the growth affected women and those aged 50 and over, while employment decreased among men and for other age groups. Over the year, the employment rate dropped (-0.2 p.p.).

On a yearly basis, the number of unemployed people fell (-14.1%, -223 thousand) while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 grew (+2.1%, +259 thousand).