Unemployment in Italy
Italy: Unemployment was 2,250 in 2025. ▬ Flat
Unemployment in Italy, 2004–2025
Source: International Labour Organization.
Analysis
The most recent figure for unemployment in Italy is 2,250, measured in 2025.
That represents a change of up 2.2% on the previous year and down 50.4% over ten years.
Over the whole period, unemployment in Italy peaked at 4,924 in 2016 and was at its lowest, 2,201, in 2024.
That places Italy 6th out of 58 countries with data for 2025, putting it in the top 10%.
Unemployment in Italy, year by year
| Year | Value | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | 2,987 | — |
| 2005 | 2,840 | -4.9% |
| 2006 | 2,658 | -6.4% |
| 2007 | 2,468 | -7.1% |
| 2008 | 2,697 | +9.3% |
| 2009 | 3,171 | +17.6% |
| 2010 | 3,240 | +2.2% |
| 2011 | 3,397 | +4.9% |
| 2012 | 3,739 | +10.1% |
| 2013 | 3,842 | +2.7% |
| 2014 | 4,261 | +10.9% |
| 2015 | 4,535 | +6.4% |
| 2016 | 4,924 | +8.6% |
| 2017 | 4,079 | -17.2% |
| 2018 | 3,893 | -4.5% |
| 2019 | 3,406 | -12.5% |
| 2020 | 4,231 | +24.2% |
| 2021 | 3,218 | -23.9% |
| 2022 | 2,823 | -12.3% |
| 2023 | 2,431 | -13.9% |
| 2024 | 2,201 | -9.5% |
| 2025 | 2,250 | +2.2% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 2,250 is above the median for high income countries, which is 266.61, 8.4× the median. (36 countries reporting)
- Italy's 2,250 is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 266.61, 8.4× the median. (34 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000s | 2,804 | 2,468 | 3,171 | 6 |
| 2010s | 3,932 | 3,240 | 4,924 | 10 |
| 2020s | 2,859 | 2,201 | 4,231 | 6 |
Countries ranked near Italy
More work & labour data for Italy
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes, annual -0.6708 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male, annual growth -0.6794 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female, annual growth -0.662 % change on previous year (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population, annual growth rate -2.03 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population, annual growth rate 0.0094 % change on previous year (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Urban population 44,671 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Rural population 10,422 1000 No (2050)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Female 17,512 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Male 17,865 1000 No (2100)
- Population - Est. & Proj. — Total Population - Both sexes 35,377 1000 No (2100)
Frequently asked questions
- What is unemployment in Italy?
- Unemployment in Italy was 2,250 in 2025, according to International Labour Organization.
- What is the highest unemployment recorded in Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 4,924 in 2016.
- What is the lowest unemployment recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 2,201 in 2024.
- How does Italy rank for unemployment?
- Italy ranks 6th out of 58 countries with data for 2025.
- Is unemployment rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 50.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is flat.
- Where does this Italy data come from?
- The figures come from International Labour Organization, published as part of Unemployment (previous ILO definition - ICLS13). Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
Download this data
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About this data
With the aim of promoting international comparability, statistics presented on ILOSTAT are based on standard international definitions wherever feasible and may differ from official national figures. This series is based on the 13th ICLS definitions. For time series comparability, it includes countries that have implemented the 19th ICLS standards, for which data are also available in the Work Statistics -- 19th ICLS (WORK) database. The unemployed comprise all persons of working age who were: a) without work during the reference period, i.e. were not in paid employment or self-employment; b) currently available for work, i.e. were available for paid employment or self-employment during the reference period; and c) seeking work, i.e. had taken specific steps in a specified recent period to seek paid employment or self-employment. The term disability, as defined in the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (ICF), is used as an umbrella term, covering impairments, activity limitations, and participation restrictions. For measurement purposes, a person with disability is defined as a person who is limited in the kind or amount of activities that he or she can do because of ongoing difficulties due to a long-term physical condition, mental condition or health problem. For more information, refer to the Disability Labour Market Indicators (DLMI) database description.