Italy Agriculture Employment
Employment in agriculture SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS
Italy's agriculture employment was 3.35% in 2025, ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Italy's agriculture employment stood at 3.35% in 2025, a decline of +0.08% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 3.11% by 2026. Italy ranked 43rd globally.
Italy’s share of the labour force employed in agriculture has fallen sharply over the 35‑year series, declining from an all‑time peak of 8.42 percent in 1991 to a trough of 3.35 percent in 2025, placing the country at rank 43 globally. The contraction reflects long‑standing structural shifts toward services and high‑value manufacturing, intensified by the European Union’s Common Agricultural Policy reforms and the mechanisation of farms that have reduced labour demand. By comparison, Spain records a similar level of 3.37 percent in 2025, while the European Union average stands at 3.23 percent, underscoring Italy’s alignment with broader regional trends toward a leaner agricultural workforce. Demographic ageing in rural areas and the limited appeal of farm work to younger cohorts have further accelerated the decline. Unless policy measures such as targeted subsidies for sustainable farming, vocational training, or incentives for agritech adoption are introduced, Italy’s agricultural employment share is likely to continue its downward trajectory in the coming decade.
Data & projection
| Year | Agriculture Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 2.76% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 2.93% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 3.11% | - | - |
| 2025 | 3.35% | −0.08% | #43 |
| 2024 | 3.43% | −0.17% | #43 |
| 2023 | 3.59% | −0.19% | #44 |
| 2022 | 3.79% | −0.26% | #43 |
| 2021 | 4.05% | +0.04% | #45 |
| 2020 | 4.01% | +0.13% | #46 |
| 2019 | 3.88% | +0.14% | #44 |
| 2018 | 3.74% | −0.04% | #43 |
| 2017 | 3.78% | −0.10% | #43 |
| 2016 | 3.88% | +0.13% | #40 |
| 2015 | 3.75% | +0.11% | #35 |
| 2014 | 3.64% | +0.04% | #35 |
| 2013 | 3.60% | −0.09% | #36 |
| 2012 | 3.69% | +0.01% | #36 |
| 2011 | 3.68% | −0.09% | #34 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw agriculture employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's agriculture employment was 3.35% in 2025. Ranked 43rd globally. This represents a 2.3% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's agriculture employment peaked at 8.42% in 1991.
The lowest agriculture employment in Italy was 3.35% in 2025.
Italy ranks 43rd globally in agriculture employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.AGR.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's agriculture employment is projected to reach 3.11% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The agriculture employment of Italy in 2025 was 3.35%. This ranks 43rd in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_agriculture-employment,
title = {Italy Agriculture Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/agriculture-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}