Italy Labor Force Participation
Labor force participation rate SL.TLF.CACT.ZS
Italy's labor force participation was 49.30% in 2025, ranked 158th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1990–2025.
Overview
Italy's labor force participation stood at 49.30% in 2025, a decline of +0.29pp from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 49.92% by 2026. Italy ranked 158th globally.
Italy’s labor‑force participation rate has slipped modestly since the early 1990s, moving from an all‑time peak of 50.33 % in 1991 to a trough of 46.87 % in 1995, before stabilising around the mid‑range of the past three decades. The latest World Bank figure for 2025 records participation at 49.30 %, placing Italy 158th globally and only slightly below peers such as Tonga (49.81 %) and Bosnia and Herzegovina (48.99 %). Over the 36‑year coverage period the indicator has shown limited volatility, with the greatest decline occurring during the mid‑1990s recession and a gradual recovery thereafter. The modest upward drift since the trough suggests that demographic ageing and modest female labour‑market entry continue to shape the rate, while structural reforms aimed at extending working lives could further improve participation. If policies encouraging later retirement and higher female employment take hold, Italy’s trajectory may shift upward in the coming years.
Data & projection
| Year | Labor Force Participation | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 50.37% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 50.14% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 49.92% | - | - |
| 2025 | 49.30% | −0.29pp | #158 |
| 2024 | 49.59% | −0.21pp | #158 |
| 2023 | 49.80% | +0.77pp | #159 |
| 2022 | 49.03% | +0.59pp | #160 |
| 2021 | 48.44% | +0.22pp | #160 |
| 2020 | 48.22% | −1.37pp | #160 |
| 2019 | 49.59% | −0.03pp | #163 |
| 2018 | 49.62% | +0.12pp | #161 |
| 2017 | 49.50% | +0.34pp | #160 |
| 2016 | 49.16% | +0.54pp | #163 |
| 2015 | 48.62% | −0.11pp | #162 |
| 2014 | 48.73% | +0.24pp | #162 |
| 2013 | 48.49% | −0.31pp | #162 |
| 2012 | 48.81% | +0.93pp | #162 |
| 2011 | 47.88% | −0.11pp | #166 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw labor force participation improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's labor force participation was 49.30% in 2025. Ranked 158th globally. This represents a 0.6% decrease from the previous year.
Italy's labor force participation peaked at 50.33% in 1991.
The lowest labor force participation in Italy was 46.87% in 1995.
Italy ranks 158th globally in labor force participation as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.TLF.CACT.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's labor force participation is projected to reach 49.92% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The labor force participation of Italy in 2025 was 49.30%. This ranks 158th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_labor-force-participation,
title = {Italy Labor Force Participation},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/labor-force-participation/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}