italy
statistical
profile no.8
italy
statistical
profile no.8
july 2009
july 2009
italy
Statistical Profile
Compiled by Isabella Blengini
Austria
Switzerland
Slovenia
Hungary
France
Bosnia &
Herzegovina
Italy
Algeria
introduction to italy
Croatia
Tunisia
About this Statistical Profile Organizations striving to be
employers-of-choice in different
countries around the world need
access to current information about
the economic, social, political, and
demographic characteristics of the
countries where their employees live
and work.
The Country Profile Series focuses
on statistics that can guide decisionmaking at the workplace: workforce
highlights, economic highlights, and
population highlights. This Country
Profile is part of a set of resources
about Italy available on the website
of the Global Perspectives Institute:
www.bc.edu/agingandwork.
King Victor Emmanuel II founded Italy as a nation state in 1861 when he united Sicily, Sardinia, and the regional states around the Italian peninsula.1 From 1870 to 1922, Italy’s political system was that of a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary government, until
1922 when Benito Mussolini came to power and established Fascist rule, while retaining the
king as the titular head of state.2 Mussolini’s alliance with Germany and the Axis powers
during World War II came to an end in 1943, when he was ousted from political rule following the Allied invasion of Sicily in 1943, and the newly appointed Premier Pietro Badoglio
declared war on Germany. A popular anti-fascist movement took place during 1943 until the
end of the war, and a democratic republic was established post-war in 1946.2
The Italian Parliament is comprised of two houses; the Senate (also known as the upper
house) and the Chamber of Deputies.3 Executive power is held in the hands of the Council
of Ministers, which is headed by a President. The President nominates the Prime Minister,
and together, they nominate members of the Council of Ministers. Italy is a member of the
European Union (EU), G-8, and the OECD, with their capital in Rome. Within peninsular
Italy, two independent states exist: the Vatican State and the Republic of San Marino.3
Italy’s industrialized economy is highly divisive; it is comprised of a developed industrial
sector in the north, which is headed by private firms, and a less developed agricultural
sector in the south, which is marked by high rates of unemployment and dependent on
welfare.1 With a lack of raw materials, most of their resources are imported. The Italian
economy is primarily supported by the production of goods by small and medium sized
firms.2 Since joining the EU, as part of the EU membership conditions Italy has had to cap
its yearly budget deficit to under 3%. However, given the current economic situation, the
Italian government has had difficulty meeting this cap, and it is projected that the budget
deficit will increase beyond 3% in 2010.
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labor force highlights
àà 48.9% of the total Italian population is in labor force (economically active
population).4
àà The economically active population is projected to increase from 50 million in 2008
to 51 million in 2020. The “economically active population” comprises all persons of
either sex who furnish the supply of labor for the production of goods and services
during a specified time reference period.4
àà The unemployment rate went from 6.6% in the fourth quarter of 2007 to
7.1% in the fourth quarter of 2008.6
àà In 2008, 71.2% of Italian employees reported to have worked 31 hours or more in a
given week.5
àà In 2008, 14.6% of the labor force was part-time.5
àà 25% of the total civilian employed labor force reported being self-employed in
2008.5
Figure 1a. Economically Active Population as Percent of Total Population - Selected Regional Countries, 2007
56.3
France
Germany
53.4
Greece
63.7
Ireland
48.9
Italy
0%
48.9% of the Italian population is in
the labor force, compared to 58.7%
in Germany and 53.4% in Greece.
(See Figure 1a)
58.7
10%
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
Source: ILO Bureau of Statistics4
Figure 1b. Economically Active Population as Percent of Total Population(+15) - Selected GNI Countries, 2007
67.6
Canada
56.3
France
58.7
Germany
48.9
Italy
60.4
Japan
62.6
Russia
51.1
United Kingdom
65.3
United States
0%
10%
Source: ILO Bureau of Statistics
2
20%
30%
40%
50%
60%
70%
4
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
The economically active population
in Italy is around 48%, while it is
58% in Germany and 56% in France.
italy
statistical
profile no.8
Figure 2. Employment Rate, Ages 15-64, by Gender, Italy and Comparable Nations, 2007
Canada
july 2009
France
Female
Male
Germany
In 2007 Italy had a male employment rate equal to 70%, slightly
higher than the one observed in
France and smaller than the one
registered in Germany. The female
employment rate was instead only
46%, the lowest rate among the
countries considered.
Italy
Japan
United Kingdom
United States
European Union 19
European Union 15
Europe
G7 countries
North America
OECD countries
0%
20%
40%
60%
80%
100%
Source: OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics6
figure 3. Employment Rates in Italy, within age group, 2007
80%
In 2007 the employment rate in
Italy reached its peak (76%) among
individuals aged 35-44, even though
it was not much larger than the
employment rate observed in the age
group 25-34 and 45-54.
70.1
76.8
72.9
70%
60%
50%
33.8
40%
30%
24.7
20%
10%
0%
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
Source: OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics6
agework@bc.edu
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Figure 4. Employment Rates in Italy Compared to Selected Regional Countries,
within age group, 2007
100%
France
Germany
80%
Italy
The distribution of the employment
rate within age groups follow similar
patterns in all the countries considered. Germany is the nation
characterized by higher employment
rates while Italy’s employment rates
are the lowest.
Spain
60%
40%
20%
0%
15-24
25-54
55-64
Source: OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics6
Figure 5a. Current & Projected Economically Active Population Estimates and Projections in Italy, within age group, 2007-2020
100%
2007
2020
80%
60%
The economically active population is
expected to increase in correspondence
of all the age groups considered, the
only exception being represented by
individuals younger than 25.
40%
20%
0%
15-19 20-24 25-29 30-34 35-39 40-44 45-49 50-54 55-59 60-64 65+
Source: ILO Bureau of Statistics4
Figure 5b. Current & projected % of Total Population Economically Active in Italy,
2007-2020
2020 Female
2020 Male
2.7
2.8
2007 Female
0.5
2007 Male
0.8
0%
16.0
under 20
20-44
45 and up
33.1
29.0
16.5
26.3
13.5
36.6
10%
20%
22.3
30%
40%
50%
60%
Source: ILO Bureau of Statistics4
4
http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
Both male and female economically
active population is expected to
increase within the age group of individuals older than 45, and decrease
in the age group of individuals aged
20-44.
italy
statistical
profile no.8
july 2009
economic highlights
àà Overall GNI per capita:
Gross National Income (GNI) per capita in Italy was $ 30,220 in 2007. This compares to $32,857 in France, $34,977 in Germany, $30,819 in Spain and $46,090 in the United States in the same year.6
àà GDP growth:
Real GDP growth in Italy increased to 3.6% in 2000. It then dramatically fell to 0.1% in 2003 and 2005, and it increased to 1.9% in 2006.6
àà Government Debt as a % of GDP:
Public debt as percentage of GDP in Italy touched its peak of 132.6% in 1998. After 1998 Italy experienced a constant reduction of public debt in percentage terms. Government debt was 113.2% of GDP in 2007.6
Figure 6. GDP Growth, Regional Comparisions, 1995-2006
GDP growth in Italy has been the
lowest among the countries considered
from 2004 to 2006.
5%
France
Germany
4%
Italy
Spain
3%
2%
1%
0%
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006
-1%
Source: OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics6
Figure 7.Total National Debt as Percentage of GDP,
selectedRegional Countries, 1995-2007
Italy’s national debt has been
constantly and by far the highest
among the countries considered.
150%
France
Germany
Italy
120%
Spain
90%
60%
30%
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 2006 2007
Source: OECD Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics6
agework@bc.edu
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demographic highlights
àà Population size:
In 2008, the Italian population was 58,851,000, compared to 61,840,000 for France, 82,772,000 for Germany and 44,311,000 for Spain. The total population in the 27 EU countries is 497,482, 000 while total population in OECD countries amounts to 1,186,728, 000 in the same year.5
àà Ethnic composition:
The Italian net immigration rate per 1,000 inhabitants reached its peak in 2003 when it was equal to 10.6. In 2006 it was 6.4. In comparison in Spain it was 14.2, 1.5 in France and 0.3 in Germany in the same year.6
àà Fertility rate:
Total Fertility rate, indicates the number of children to be born to a woman during her reproductive span of her life. Total fertility rate for Italian women is 1.35 children per woman. The French fertility rate is 1.98, while the Spanish and German ones are respectively 1.38 and 1.33.6
àà % 65+:
In Italy the ratio of population aged 65 and over to the total population is 20.3 in 2008. This ratio is 16.5 in France and 20.1 and 17 in Germany and Spain respectively, in the same year.1
Figure 8. Median Age, by Gender, 2008
France
40.9
45.2
44.8
42.5
Female
Germany
Italy
38.0
Spain
42.6
41.8
39.7
Male
39.4
43.8
43.3
Total
41.1
0
10
20
30
40
50
Source: The World Factbook, 20091
Figure 9. Life Expectancy at Birth, 2008
Female
Germany
Italy
77.8
76.3
77.3
76.7
Male
Spain
81.0
79.3
80.2
80.1
Total
50
France
84.3
82.4
83.3
83.6
60
70
80
90
Source: The World Factbook, 20091
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http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
italy
statistical
profile no.8
àà Population distribution of Italy
• The distribution of the Italian population in 2008 is characterized by a high
concentration of the population in the age group 30-54, for both males and
females. The female population is also highly concentrated in the wage group
of individuals older than 80. Similar population distributions are observed for
France and Germany in the same year (see Fig. 10a-10b-10c).7
july 2009
• Over time it is expected a constant increase in the population density in the
age group of individual older than 75. We expect a dramatic increase in the
average age of the population (including males and females), that should
become evident by 2050 (see Fig. 10d-10e).7
Figure 10a. Population Distribution of Italy, 2008.
Male
Female
80+
74-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
10
8
4
6
2
0
0
2
4
6
8
10
8
10
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database7
Figure 10b. Population Distribution of France, 2008.
Male
Female
80+
74-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
10
8
6
4
2
0
0
2
4
6
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database7
agework@bc.edu
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Figure 10c. Population Distribution of Germany, 2008.
Male
Female
80+
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
0-9
10
8
6
4
0
2
0
2
4
6
8
10
8
10
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database7
Figure 10d. Population Projections, Italy 2020
Male
Female
80+
74-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
5-9
0-4
10
8
6
4
0
2
0
2
4
6
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database7
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http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
italy
statistical
profile no.8
Figure 10e. Population Projections, Italy 2050
Male
Female
80+
july 2009
75-79
70-74
65-69
60-64
55-59
50-54
45-49
40-44
35-39
30-34
25-29
20-24
15-19
10-14
0-9
20
15
10
5
0
0
5
10
15
20
% of Population
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, International Database7
agework@bc.edu
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references
1. Central Intelligence Agency. (2009). The World Factbook 2009. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from https://www.cia.
gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/
2. U.S Department of State. (2009). Background Note: Italy. Retrieved April 7, 2009, from http://www.state.
gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/4033.htm
3. EUROPA . (2009). Member states of the EU – Italy. Retrieved April 8, 2009, The http://europa.eu/abc/european_countries/eu_members/italy/index_en.htm
4. International Labor Organisation. (2009). LABORSTA Internet. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from
http://laborsta.ilo.org/
5. Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (I.S.T.A.T.). (2009). Testo Integrale 2009. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from
http://www.istat.it/
6. Organization for Economic Co-Operation and Development. (2009). OECD: Factbook 2009: Economic, Environmental and Social Statistics. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://www.oecd.org/document/62/0,3343,en_
21571361_34374092_34420734_1_1_1_1,00.html
7. U. S. Census Bureau. (2008). International Database. Retrieved May 6, 2009 from http://www.census.gov/
ipc/www/idb/
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http://www.bc.edu/agingandwork
italy
statistical
profile no.8
july 2009
Country Context Team Leaders
Marcie Pitt-Catsouphes, Director, Sloan
Center on Aging and Work
Tay K. McNamara, Director of Research,
Sloan Center on Aging and Work
Jungui Lee, Postdoctoral researcher,
Sloan Center on Aging and Work
about the institute
Established in 2007 by the Center on Aging & Work, the Global Perspectives Institute is an
international collaboration of scholars and employers committed to the expansion of the
quality of employment available to the 21st century multi-generational workforce in countries
around the world.
The Global Perspectives Institute focuses on innovative and promising practices that might
be adopted by employers and policy-makers.
The Institute’s research, publications, and international forums contribute to:
àà a deeper understanding of the employment experiences and career aspirations of
employees of different ages who work in countries around the world;
àà informed decision making by employers who want to be employers-of-choice in
different countries; and
àà innovative thinking about private-public partnerships that promote sustainable,
quality employment.
Apart from the Mind the Gap series, the Global Perspectives Institute publishes a Statistical
Profile Series highlighting workforce demographic trends in different coutries as well as a
Global Policy Series focusing on selected worforce policy in certain country contexts.
For more information on our publications, please visit us online at:
www.bc.edu/agingandwork
The Sloan Center on Aging & Work at Boston College promotes quality of employment as
an imperative for the 21st century multi-generational workforce. We integrate evidence from
research with insights from workplace experiences to inform innovative organizational
decision-making. Collaborating with business leaders and scholars in a multi-disciplinary
dialogue, the Center develops the next generation of knowledge and talent management.
The Sloan Center on Aging & Work is grateful for the continued support of the Alfred P.
Sloan Foundation.
Isabella Blengini, is a doctoral student in the Economics Department of Boston College. Her research focus is
on international economics. She has been studying issues related to human capital endowment and quality
of production, capital flow dynamics and financial crises.
For additional Sloan Center Publications, visit our website at www.bc.edu/agingandwork
Global Statistical Profile 01 - Japan
Global Statistical Profile 02 - United States
Global Statistical Profile 03 - Pakistan
Global Statistical Profile 04 - South Korea
Global Statistical Profile 05 - China
Global Statistical Profile 06 - Greece
Global Statistical Profile 07 - Armenia
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