Istat, in March + 70 thousand employed. Unemployment rate down to 7.2%
In March, on a monthly basis, the employment rate rose to 62.1 %, setting a new record
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In March, on a monthly basis, the employment rate rose to 62.1%, marking a new record. Compared to February, employment grew by 70,000 units (+0.3%). This was announced by Istat, releasing the provisional estimate on the employed and unemployed. The number of employed people - 23 million 849 thousand - is 425 thousand higher (+1.8%) compared to March 2023, as a result of the increase of 559 thousand permanent employees and 46 thousand self-employed, against the decrease of 180 thousand temporary employees.
Youth unemployment rate down to 20.1%
The number of jobseekers decreased (-2.8% or -53 thousand) for both genders and in every age group except for 35-49 year-olds. The total unemployment rate dropped to 7.2% (-0.2 points), the youth unemployment rate to 20.1% (-2.3 points). The growth in the number of inactive persons (+0.1%, i.e. +12 thousand, between the ages of 15 and 64) is observed only for men and those under 50; among those aged 50 and over, inactivity decreases. The inactivity rate remains stable at 33.0%.
March 2024 +425 thousand employed year-on-year
The number of employed persons in March 2024 exceeded that of March 2023 by 1.8% (+425,000). The increase involves men, women and all age groups, with the exception of 35-49 year-olds due to negative demographic dynamics: the employment rate, which overall is up by 1.0 percentage points, is also rising in this age group (+0.6 points) because the decrease in the number of employed 35-49 year-olds is less marked than that of the corresponding overall population. Compared to March 2023, both the number of jobseekers (-7.4%, equal to -148 thousand) and the number of inactive persons aged 15-64 fell (-1.7%, equal to -213 thousand).
Eurostat, unemployment stable at 6.5% in eurozone
In March 2024, the euro area's seasonally adjusted unemployment rate was 6.5%, stable compared to February 2024 and down from 6.6% in March 2023. In contrast, the EU unemployment rate was 6.0% in March 2024, down from 6.1% in February 2024 and stable compared to March 2023. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.
