Unemployment is still growing in Italy. This was revealed by Istat, according to which in the first quarter of 2014 the unemployment rate stood at 13,6%, up by 0,8% on an annual basis. This is the highest value recorded since the beginning of the quarterly series in 1977.
In the month of April alone, the unemployment rate stood at 12,6%, remaining unchanged compared to March, but marking a growth of 0,6% on an annual basis. Again, this is a record level.
Also in April, the unemployment rate for 15-24 year olds, i.e. the share of unemployed young people out of the total number of active young people (employed or unemployed) was 43,3%, up by 0,4 percentage points compared to the previous month and 3,8 points over twelve months.
The youth unemployment rate in the first quarter instead rose to 46%, from 41,9% in the first quarter of 2013.
