Labor force in Italy: 25.6 million (Labor force, 2025 · 27th of 184). Labor force (people) in Italy: 25.6 million in 2025, ranking 27th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 24.7 million.
Data last updated · Period: 2010–2025
Understanding the chart
The line chart above tracks labor force (people) in Italy for each year from 2010 to 2025, 16 data points in all. Each dot is one year; the first and last years and the highest point are labelled with their values, and the vertical scale is in people. All values in this period were above zero. The data table below the chart lists every value, and you can download the data, embed the chart or share it from the buttons above. The figures cover 2010–2025 and come from World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).
Key insights
- Between 2010 and 2025, Italy's labor force rose from 24.7 million to 25.6 million, a change of 3.6% (about 0.2% a year on average).
- The highest value in this period was 25.9 million in 2018; the lowest was 24.7 million in 2010.
- Recently, the figure has fallen in each of the last two years (2024: 25.8 million; 2025: 25.6 million).
- That is 99% lower than the world figure of 3.7 billion.
- Italy has the 27th-highest value of 184 countries with recent data.
- Italy has the highest value of the 12 countries in Southern Europe with recent data; the typical (median) value there is 1.5 million.
Analysis
Averaged over periods, the figure was 25.0 million in 2010 to 2014, 25.6 million in 2015 to 2019 and 25.4 million in 2020 onwards. The value went up in 9 of the 15 year-to-year steps and down in 6. The biggest one-year rise came in 2012 (+557,900, or 2.3%). The biggest one-year fall came in 2020 (−777,228, or 3.0%). Across the period the values varied by about 2% around their average (25.4 million), a fairly steady path.
What it means
For businesses and investors, the figure is most useful alongside related measures for the same country, such as growth, inflation, population and incomes, and compared with similar countries. Compared with its neighbours in Southern Europe, where the typical value is 1.5 million, Italy is 16.7 times the regional median.
Related figures
- Labor force (people) by country, 2025: 767.6 million (highest: China). The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work.
- Labor force (people) in Albania, 2010–2025: 1.3 million (Labor force, 2025 · 136th of 184). Labor force (people) in Albania: 1.3 million in 2025, ranking 136th of 184 countries.
- Labor force (people) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2010–2025: 1.3 million (Labor force, 2025 · 135th of 184). Labor force (people) in Bosnia and Herzegovina: 1.3 million in 2025, ranking 135th of 184 countries.
About this statistic
The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Employment and labour force figures show how many people earn an income and how tight the job market is, which shapes both consumer demand and hiring costs. The figures come from the World Bank's World Development Indicators, which compile official national statistics in a consistent form so countries can be compared.
Questions and answers
What is the labor force (people) in Italy?
25.6 million (Labor force, 2025 · 27th of 184). Labor force (people) in Italy: 25.6 million in 2025, ranking 27th of 184 countries. In 2010 it was 24.7 million.
How has labor force in Italy changed since 2010?
Between 2010 and 2025, Italy's labor force rose from 24.7 million to 25.6 million, a change of 3.6% (about 0.2% a year on average). The highest value in this period was 25.9 million in 2018; the lowest was 24.7 million in 2010.
Where does this data come from?
From World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0), covering 2010–2025. The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Data
| Year | Labor force (people) |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 24.7 million |
| 2011 | 24.7 million |
| 2012 | 25.3 million |
| 2013 | 25.2 million |
| 2014 | 25.3 million |
| 2015 | 25.3 million |
| 2016 | 25.5 million |
| 2017 | 25.7 million |
| 2018 | 25.9 million |
| 2019 | 25.8 million |
| 2020 | 25.0 million |
| 2021 | 25.0 million |
| 2022 | 25.4 million |
| 2023 | 25.8 million |
| 2024 | 25.8 million |
| 2025 | 25.6 million |
Source and notes
Source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0). Period: 2010–2025. Coverage: Italy.
The number of people aged 15 and over who are working or looking for work. The pool of potential workers and, broadly, of earning customers.
Cite this statistic
Please also credit the original source: World Bank, World Development Indicators (CC BY 4.0).Related statistics
- Labor force (people) by country, 2025
- Labor force (people) in Albania, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Bosnia and Herzegovina, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Spain, 2010–2025
- Labor force (people) in Greece, 2010–2025
- GDP of Italy, 2010–2025
- Economic growth (GDP growth) in Italy, 2010–2025
- GDP per person in Italy, 2010–2025
- GDP per person, adjusted for prices (PPP, international $) in Italy, 2010–2024
All Italy data: economy, people, jobs and digital in one place
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