Italy Industry Employment
Employment in industry SL.IND.EMPL.ZS
Italy's industry employment was 26.43% in 2025, ranked 151st globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Italy's industry employment stood at 26.43% in 2025, a decline of +0.26% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 26.47% by 2026. Italy ranked 151st globally.
Italy’s share of its labour force employed in industry stood at 26.43 percent in 2025, placing the country 151st in the world according to the World Bank. This figure marks a long‑term decline from the all‑time peak of 34.82 percent recorded in 1991, the year the Italian manufacturing sector reached its pre‑globalisation high, and it remains only slightly above the all‑time trough of 25.89 percent reached in 2019 as the economy shifted toward services. Over the 35‑year coverage period the downward trajectory has been steady, with Italy now clustered alongside peers such as Croatia (26.36 percent) and Iraq (26.54 percent) in terms of industrial employment intensity. The persistent erosion of industrial jobs reflects structural changes, automation and competition from lower‑cost producers. Unless policy interventions stimulate manufacturing revitalisation or a shift toward high‑value industrial niches occurs, the proportion of workers in industry is likely to continue its gradual decline.
Data & projection
| Year | Industry Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 26.34% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 26.41% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 26.47% | - | - |
| 2025 | 26.43% | −0.26% | #151 |
| 2024 | 26.68% | +0.05% | #153 |
| 2023 | 26.64% | −0.23% | #154 |
| 2022 | 26.87% | +0.23% | #155 |
| 2021 | 26.64% | +0.22% | #155 |
| 2020 | 26.42% | +0.53% | #155 |
| 2019 | 25.89% | −0.20% | #151 |
| 2018 | 26.09% | +0.09% | #152 |
| 2017 | 26.00% | −0.12% | #153 |
| 2016 | 26.12% | −0.48% | #154 |
| 2015 | 26.60% | −0.30% | #157 |
| 2014 | 26.90% | −0.15% | #159 |
| 2013 | 27.05% | −0.54% | #157 |
| 2012 | 27.58% | −0.71% | #160 |
| 2011 | 28.29% | −0.32% | #164 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw industry employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's industry employment was 26.43% in 2025. Ranked 151st globally. This represents a 1.0% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's industry employment peaked at 34.82% in 1991.
The lowest industry employment in Italy was 25.89% in 2019.
Italy ranks 151st globally in industry employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.IND.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's industry employment is projected to reach 26.47% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The industry employment of Italy in 2025 was 26.43%. This ranks 151st in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_industry-employment,
title = {Italy Industry Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/industry-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}