GDP per capita index in Italy 2005-2025, by macro-region
Unemployment rates by macro-region
The situation was not much different pertaining to unemployment. In 2020, the unemployment rate in the North oscillated between 5.6 and six percent, while in the South the rate reached 17.4 percent. Overall, the estimated figures for 2021 and 2022 were not optimistic, given that the unemployment rate was expected to increase throughout Italy. However, the growth was forecasted to be more remarkable in the South than in the rest of the country.
Italian economy
Undoubtedly, the economic crisis that occurred in Italy in 2008 together with its long-term repercussions contributed to accentuate already existing regional gaps. Currently, Italy is one of Europe’s largest economies. However, in 2018, it also was among the EU countries with the lowest GDP growth. Furthermore, in 2019, Italy was the sixth state with the highest public debt in relation to the gross domestic product worldwide.