The Italian economy accelerates thanks to widespread growth among the productive sectors (the added value of industry in the strict sense increased by almost 1% compared to the previous quarter) and to the increase in employment (59 individuals more than in the month of June). This is what emerges from monthly note, published by Istat, on the economic trend in Italy.
The positive trend of our country's economy is part of an international framework characterized by the growth of the US economy and the euro area.
In Italy, in the second quarter of 2017, the GDP, adjusted and seasonally adjusted, increased by 0,4% compared to the previous quarter, marking the highest growth trend in the last six years. Progress is therefore tangible and constant.
As regards households and the labor market, in Italy, the growth of national final consumption was more sustained than expected (+0,2% compared to +0,5% in the previous quarter). During the month of July, the number of employed people increased (+0,3% compared to June). The unemployment rate is also growing (+11,2% in August), due to the reduction in the number of inactive people aged between 15 and 64. Therefore, the increase in the rate shouldn't worry, on the contrary: today there are more people looking for work.
The price level is recovering. After three months of slowdown in the growth process, inflation showed a slight improvement in August. The upturn was affected by the rise in energy prices and its impact on transport services.
Lastly, there was a sharp increase in the consumer confidence climate index, driven by the improvement in all components and by the reduction in unemployment expectations.
