Italy Reaches Highest Employment Rate in History, Istat Says

Italy recorded in the second quarter of 2026 the highest number of employed persons since the beginning of the statistical institute's historical series in 2004. According to Comunità Italiana, the Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (Istat) disclosed that the country totaled 24.363 million employed workers, an unprecedented level that reinforces the positive moment in the Italian labor market.

Historic Employment Record

According to Istat data cited by Comunità Italiana, the number of employed in the second quarter of 2026 grew by 155 thousand people compared to the previous quarter, an advance of 0.6%. This represents the highest employment level ever recorded since the institute began its historical series in 2004.

The employment rate among people aged 15 to 64 reached 63.1%, also a record, with a gain of 0.4 percentage points from the previous period. The indicator is closely watched by analysts because it measures the proportion of the working-age population that is actually employed, serving as a barometer for the health of the Italian labor market.

The numbers are part of the broader panorama published in Italy News, which follows the evolution of the country's economy.

How Employment Growth Was Distributed

The growth in employment did not concentrate in a single type of contract. According to Comunità Italiana, permanent employment contracts advanced the most, with an increase of 120 thousand positions, a gain of 0.7% in the quarter.

Fixed-term contracts also grew, with 18 thousand new positions (0.7%), while self-employed workers increased by 17 thousand people, a gain of 0.3%.

In the annual comparison, the picture partially reverses: self-employed workers advanced 2.4% compared to the same period in 2025, while temporary contracts declined 1.2% over the twelve-month cumulative. The data suggests a trend toward greater pursuit of professional stability among Italians over the past year.

Unemployment Rises in Quarter but Falls Year-over-Year

Despite the employment record, unemployment saw a slight increase in the quarterly comparison. According to Istat, the unemployed totaled 1.44 million people in the second quarter of 2026, a growth of 31 thousand (2.2%) from the previous quarter. As a result, the unemployment rate rose from 5.5% to 5.6%.

The picture changes when viewed over a year: in the annual comparison, the number of unemployed fell 9.8% compared to the same quarter of 2025, indicating consistent improvement in the labor market over the past twelve months, despite the slight quarterly increase in the rate to 5.6%. Inactivity among people aged 15 to 64—which includes those who do not work or seek employment—also declined in the annual comparison, according to Istat, reinforcing the picture of labor market improvement in the period (it is recommended to consult Istat's official press release for the exact decline values and inactivity rate).

The numbers indicate that, although there was a slight short-term fluctuation, the underlying trend of the Italian labor market remains one of consistent improvement over the year.

GDP and Hours Worked Also Advance

The Istat report, according to Comunità Italiana, also brought data on productivity and the country's economic performance. Hours worked grew 0.3% in the quarter and 1.3% in the annual comparison, a sign that the increase in employment came with greater work intensity, not just new contracts.

Italian Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew 0.2% in the quarter and 1% over twelve months, consolidating a scenario of moderate but steady expansion of the country's economy.

Why It Matters to Italian-Brazilians

The data released by Istat has direct relevance for Brazilians of Italian descent who follow the country's economic scenario, whether out of interest in work, investments, or life plans in Italy. A more robust labor market and an economy in recovery can directly influence the conditions for those who intend to establish themselves in the country, whether to study, work, or start a business.

For those who already have or are in the process of obtaining Italian citizenship, these indicators help gauge the opportunities available in the European market. The topic also relates to content on Life in Italy, which addresses the daily life, cost of living, and professional integration of Brazilians in the country.

The numbers for the second quarter of 2026 reinforce the trajectory of Italian economic recovery, with effects that go beyond official statistics and reach the planning of those who see Italy as a destination for work or life.

Source: Comunità Italiana