The unemployment rate in April decreased by 0,4 points on March and by 0,6 points on April 2016, settling at 11,1%. the lowest figure since September 2012. Istat detects it on the basis of seasonally adjusted data. In the month, there were 2.880.000 unemployed, down 106.000 from March and 146.000 from April 2016. The inactivity rate is at 34,7%, up 0,1 points from March and down 0,4 points on April 2016. Inactive people aged 15-64 are 13,4 million, up 24.000 on March and down 196.000 on April 2016.
The unemployment rate for young people between 15 and 24 was 34% in April. stable compared to March and down three points compared to April 2016. Istat explains that there are 1.001.000 employed people in this age group, a decrease of 18.000 units on March and an increase of 4.000 units on April 2016. The unemployed between 15 and 24 years are 516.000, a decrease of 10.000 units on March and 69.000 units from April 2016.
In total, in April employed people grow by 94.000 compared to March (+0,4%) and 277.000 units compared to April 2016, reaching 22.998.000 people (rpt 22.998.000). This was noted by Istat, explaining that the employment rate between 15 and 64 years of age rose to 57,9% (+0,2 points over March), the highest level since February 2009.
Thanks to the increase in employment recorded in April, the total number is therefore close to 23 million (22.988.000), the highest number since November 2008. In October of that year, in fact, 23.074.000 were reached, while in November it had dropped to 22.959.000. This datum was achieved with a substantial increase in participation in the labor market, especially in the older age group. The over 50 employed in April were 8.053.000 with an increase of 101.000 units over March and 362.000 over April 2016. Compared to April 2005, the over 50 employed increased by over three million (they were 4.997.000).
Prime Minister Gentiloni's comment is satisfied who wrote in a tweet: “#Istat Jobs are growing, unemployment is at a minimum. Reward the choices of these years. Confidence in Italy and commitment that continues”.
