Labour, Istat: in February -29 thousand employed over the month, +13 thousand over the year
The statistical agency's snapshot for February 2026: on a monthly basis, the fall in the employed is associated with growth in the unemployed and substantial stability in the inactive. Eurostat: Unemployment rate rises to 6.2% in February
Key points
In February 2026, on a monthly basis, the decline in the number of employed persons was associated with the growth in the number of unemployed persons and the substantial stability of the number of inactive persons. In particular, the number of employed, at 24 million 149 thousand, was down on the previous month. The decrease in the number of employed (-0.1%, equal to -29 thousand) involves men, employees and those aged 25-49; among women, the self-employed, those aged 15-24 and those aged 50 and over the number of employed is instead growing. The employment rate dropped to 62.4% (-0.1 points). The indications are contained in the report on Employment and Unemployment, February 2026 (provisional estimate).
Growing number of jobseekers
The growth in jobseekers (+2.7% or +36 thousand) is observed for men and women and for all age groups with the exception of 15-24 year-olds, among whom the number is decreasing. The unemployment rate rose to 5.3% (+0.1 points), the youth unemployment rate fell to 17.6% (-1.0 points).
Still inactive
The substantial stability of inactive persons between 15 and 64 years of age reflects an increase among men and those aged 15-49 and a decrease among women and those aged 50 and over. The inactivity rate is stable at 33.9%.
Comparing the quarter December 2025-February 2026 with the previous quarter (September-November 2025), there is a growth in the number of employed persons (+0.1%, or +20,000).
Compared to the previous quarter, the number of jobseekers decreased (-8.0% or -119,000) and the number of inactive persons aged 15-64 increased (+0.9% or +117,000).
