Milan, Sept. 12 (LaPresse) – In the second quarter of 2025, the Italian labor market shows substantial stability compared to the previous quarter. The number of employed people remains virtually unchanged, reflecting a decrease in permanent employees (-21,000) and fixed-term employees (-45,000), offset by an increase in self-employed workers (+74,000). Unemployment rises slightly (+13,000, +0.8%), while the number of inactive people aged 15-64 decreases (-16,000). Employment (62.6%), unemployment (6.3%), and inactivity (33.0%) rates remain stable.
In July 2025, provisional data indicate a slight increase in employment, accompanied by a decrease in the unemployment rate (-0.3 percentage points) and a slight increase in the inactivity rate (+0.1 points). On an annual basis, employment grows (+226,000, +0.9%), driven by permanent employees (+1.9%) and the self-employed (+3.0%), while fixed-term contracts decline (-7.7%). Unemployment remains nearly stable (-0.5% annually), and the number of inactive people continues to decrease (-150,000, -1.2%).
From the business perspective, the number of employee positions continues to grow (+0.4% quarterly), both full-time and part-time. However, hours worked decrease (-0.5% quarterly, -0.3% annually), and the use of wage support (Cassa Integrazione) declines. The job vacancy rate remains stable at 1.8%, but is down year-over-year. Labor costs rise by 0.6% on a quarterly basis and by 3.6% annually, driven mainly by social contributions (+4.9%) and wages (+2.9%). This increase is linked to recent contractual renewals and the phasing out of some contribution reliefs, only partially replaced by new support measures.
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