ROME (Reuters) – Italy’s unemployment rate was stable at 6.1% in September, national statistics bureau ISTAT reported on Thursday, with a net 63,000 jobs lost during the month.
A Reuters survey of 11 analysts had forecast a September jobless rate of 6.2%.
August’s rate was previously reported as 6.2%.
In the July-to-September period, employment was up by 84,000 or 0.4%, compared with the previous three months, ISTAT said.
In September, the number of people in work was up by 301,000, or 1.3%, compared with September 2023.
The youth unemployment rate, measuring job-seekers between 15 and 24 years old, rose to 18.3% from 18.1% the month before.
ISTAT said the number of so-called “inactive” people, who are neither in work nor looking for work, increased for a third consecutive month in September, rising by 56,000, or 0.4%, from the month before.
Italy’s overall employment rate, one of the lowest in the euro zone, was down in September to 62.1%.
ISTAT gave the following data:
SEPT AUG JULY
JOBLESS RATE 6.1 6.1r 6.3r
YOUTH UNEMPLOYMENT RATE (15-24) 18.3 18.1r 19.8r
EMPLOYMENT RATE (15-64) 62.1 62.3 62.3
r=revised
(Reporting by Antonella Cinelli)
