Labor force participation rate by age in Italy
Italy: Labor force participation rate by age was 24.7% in 2024. ▼ Falling
Labor force participation rate by age in Italy, 1990–2024
Source: International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data. Measured in %.
Analysis
The most recent figure for labor force participation rate by age in Italy is 24.7%, measured in 2024.
The figure is down 6.4% on the previous year and down 9.0% over ten years.
Over the whole period, labor force participation rate by age in Italy peaked at 46.9% in 1990 and was at its lowest, 23.8%, in 2020.
Italy ranks 170th of 188 countries on this measure, in the bottom quarter.
The long-run direction has been consistently falling across the 35 years of available data.
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990s | 40.8% | 38.2% | 46.9% | 10 |
| 2000s | 33.8% | 28.8% | 38.2% | 10 |
| 2010s | 26.9% | 26.0% | 28.6% | 10 |
| 2020s | 25.2% | 23.8% | 26.4% | 5 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More work & labour data for Italy
- Legislation on sexual harassment in employment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Criminal sanctions or compensation for workplace sexual harassment 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Women can take the same jobs as men 1 (1=yes; 0=no) (2023)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15+) 49.3% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15+) 58.3% (2025)
- Ratio of female to male labor force participation rate (%) 70.0% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 40.8% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, total (% of total population ages 15-6 66.6% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, male (% of male population ages 15-64) 75.7% (2025)
- Labor force participation rate, female (% of female population ages 15 57.4% (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is labor force participation rate by age in Italy?
- Labor force participation rate by age in Italy was 24.7% in 2024, according to International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 46.9% in 1990.
- What is the lowest labor force participation rate by age recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 23.8% in 2020.
- How does Italy rank for labor force participation rate by age?
- Italy ranks 170th out of 188 countries with data for 2024.
- Is labor force participation rate by age rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 9.0%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Italy data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization (2026) – with major processing by Our World in Data, published as part of Labor force participation rate by age. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Share of the working-age population aged 15-24 who are economically active (employed or unemployed).