Slight drop for unemployment in January. According to the preliminary estimate released by Istat, in fact, in the first month of the year the unemployment rate recorded a slight decrease to 12,6% against 12,7% in December, thus returning to the same level it had reached in the same month of the previous year. For the unemployment rate, this is the second consecutive improvement.
Again according to Istat, in January 2015 there were 22 million 320 thousand employed, substantially unchanged compared to December (+11 thousand) but up by 0,6% on an annual basis. The employment rate, on the other hand, stood at 55,8%, up 0,1% on December and 0,3% on an annual basis.
In the two months of December 2014 and January 2015, in which rock bottom was reached and small signs of recovery can be glimpsed, there were 104 more employed persons.
As regards the whole of 2014, the youth unemployment rate (15-24 years) marked an increase of 2,6%, reaching a new historic record of 42,7%, with a peak of 58,5% for young women in the South
Again in 2014, employment returned to growth, albeit slight, after two years of decline, recording an increase of 0,4%, equal to 88.000 units compared to the previous year. Against an increase in the North (+0,4%) and in the Center (+1,8%), employment in Southern Italy experienced a new decline in the South (-0,8%).
Il employment rate, on the other hand, stands at 55,7%, up 0,2% on an annual basis. Also in this case, the growth in the Center and in the North contrasts with the decline in the South (-0,2%). Employment growth affects permanent workers to a limited extent (+18.000 units) and temporary workers to a greater extent (+79.000 units). On the other hand, the decline in independents continues at a slower pace (-9.000 units).
In the 2014 average, the unemployment rate it recorded a growth of 12,7%, against the 12,1% recorded a year earlier. This is the highest level ever reached since 1977, the year in which the series of historical surveys began.
On average in 2014, the growth in unemployment continues with an increase of 167.000 units (+5,5%), which affects both gender components and all geographical divisions. The increase is due in almost seven cases out of ten to those looking for their first job. The incidence of long-term unemployment (twelve months or more) rose from 56,4% in 2013 to 60,7% in 2014.
The inactive population between 15 and 64 years of age is decreasing again (-233.000 units, equal to -1,6%). The decline only affects the Italian component, both among men and, above all, among women. The reduction of inactive people not available to work (-503.000 units) is contrasted by the growth of those who are not actively looking for work or are available to work despite not looking for work (overall +293.000 units).
“The slight increase recorded also in January leads to an overall increase of 131 employees on an annual basis – commented the Minister of Labour, Giuliano Poletti -. It is an encouraging result after several years of falling employment which – together with the positive signs of growth in industrial production and business and consumer confidence – suggests the possibility of a better 2015 for employment and the economy, with a framework of greater stability capable of favoring business investment. In the coming months we will also be able to see the full effect of the measures launched by the Government with the labor reform and with the stability law to support the recovery and, in particular, to promote stable employment: the three-year tax deduction for new hires with open-ended contract, the deductibility from the calculation of IRAP and the introduction of the new open-ended contract with increasing protections”.
