Italy Services Employment
Employment in services SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS
Italy's services employment was 70.23% in 2025, ranked 124th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from 2024. Data from World Bank, covering 1991–2025.
Overview
Italy's services employment stood at 70.23% in 2025, a rise of +0.34% from 2024. Based on recent trends, this figure is projected to reach 70.42% by 2026. Italy ranked 124th globally.
Italy’s share of employment in services rose steadily over the 35‑year span from 56.76 in 1991, the lowest point recorded, to a peak of 70.23 in 2019, a level that persisted as the latest figure for 2025 and placed the country 124th globally. This increase reflects the broader structural shift toward a post‑industrial economy, where service‑oriented activities now dominate labour markets. The 2019 peak aligns Italy with other small‑economy outliers such as Costa Rica, whose services employment stands at 70.03, and Estonia, at 71.05, underscoring that Italy’s advancement is comparable to nations that have successfully transitioned away from manufacturing dependence. While the upward trajectory has been consistent, future changes in demographic trends, digitalisation and potential policy reforms aimed at boosting high‑skill service sectors will determine whether Italy can sustain or further improve its services employment share.
Data & projection
| Year | Services Employment | YoY change | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2028* trend | 70.90% | - | - |
| 2027* trend | 70.66% | - | - |
| 2026* trend | 70.42% | - | - |
| 2025 | 70.23% | +0.34% | #124 |
| 2024 | 69.89% | +0.12% | #124 |
| 2023 | 69.77% | +0.43% | #125 |
| 2022 | 69.34% | +0.03% | #128 |
| 2021 | 69.31% | −0.26% | #128 |
| 2020 | 69.57% | −0.67% | #129 |
| 2019 | 70.23% | +0.06% | #132 |
| 2018 | 70.17% | −0.04% | #133 |
| 2017 | 70.21% | +0.22% | #136 |
| 2016 | 69.99% | +0.34% | #136 |
| 2015 | 69.65% | +0.19% | #136 |
| 2014 | 69.46% | +0.10% | #139 |
| 2013 | 69.35% | +0.63% | #137 |
| 2012 | 68.73% | +0.69% | #135 |
| 2011 | 68.03% | +0.41% | #134 |
Detected Pattern
Analysis
Italy matched the Export Boom Cycle pattern in 1986. Historically, 71% of countries showing this pattern (546 out of 768) saw services employment improve within 24 months. View full analysis →
Frequently Asked Questions
Italy's services employment was 70.23% in 2025. Ranked 124th globally. This represents a 0.5% increase from the previous year.
Italy's services employment peaked at 70.23% in 2019.
The lowest services employment in Italy was 56.76% in 1991.
Italy ranks 124th globally in services employment as of 2025.
The World Bank indicator code is SL.SRV.EMPL.ZS. Data sourced from World Bank.
Italy's services employment is projected to reach 70.42% by 2026 based on trend extrapolation.
The services employment of Italy in 2025 was 70.23%. This ranks 124th in the world.
Cite this page
@misc{historysaid_italy_services-employment,
title = {Italy Services Employment},
url = {https://historysaid.com/italy/services-employment/},
publisher = {HistorySaid},
year = {2026}
}