The employment situation in Italy shows no signs of improving and the situation of young people remains particularly dramatic. According to the latest provisional estimates by Istat, in May the unemployment rate of 15-24 year olds hit a new all-time high, rising to 36,2%. This is the highest figure both since the beginning of the monthly historical series (January 2004) and the quarterly (fourth quarter 1992). More than one young person out of three of those actively participating in the labor market is unemployed.
Compared to the entire population of young people aged between 15 and 24, in May, just over one in ten (10,5%) was unemployed. The youth unemployment rate increased by 0,9 percentage points compared to April.
In general, unemployment remained at its highest levels in May. The jobless rate has reached 10,1% virtually unchanged from April (-0,1%) and up 1,9 points year-on-year.
The number of unemployed, equal to 2.584 thousand, decreased by 0,7% compared to April (-18 thousand units). This decrease affects both men and women. On an annual basis, however, there was a 26% growth, equal to 534 units.
