Business · Economy · 12 hrs ago
Italy’s labour productivity fell while the EU average rose
A CNEL report on Italy’s productivity presented on 4 November says the country’s output per hour worked fell by an average of 0.3% a year from 2019 to 2025.
In the same period, productivity across the EU rose 0.5% a year, while Italy also lagged behind several major European economies.
The report links the decline partly to jobs moving from industry to less productive services, a shift that did not happen in the same way in Germany.
It also points to a long decline in investment after financial and debt crises, which reduced the capital available for production for more than a decade.
Employment and hours worked increased, but average pay fell as productivity weakened, according to the report.
Public support through the Industria 4.0 programme helped investment, but the boost was not enough to reverse the wider problem.
Italy’s labour productivity fell by an average of 0.3% a year from 2019 to 2025, while the EU-27 average rose by 0.5% a year.
A report presented to Italy’s CNEL on 4 November links the decline to a shift from industry to less productive services and a long-term fall in investment.
Over the same period, productivity rose in Spain, Germany and the UK, while France also recorded a decline.
The report says employment and hours worked increased, while average pay fell.
- Who
- Italy’s labour force and economy, as examined in a report presented to CNEL.
- What
- Labour productivity fell in Italy while the EU-27 average rose.
- When
- From 2019 to 2025. The report was presented on 4 November 2026.
- Where
- Italy, compared with the EU-27 and other European economies.
- Why
- The report points to a shift from industry to less productive services and weak investment.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Italy’s labour productivity grew by an average of 0.6% a year, according to the report.
Italy’s labour productivity growth nearly stopped, averaging 0.1%.
Italy’s labour productivity fell by an average of 0.3% a year, while the EU-27 average increased by 0.5%.
The report on productivity in Italy was presented at CNEL.
- Italy, 2019-2025
- Labour productivity fell by an average of 0.3% a year.
- EU-27, 2019-2025
- Labour productivity rose by an average of 0.5% a year.
- Spain, 2019-2025
- Labour productivity rose by 0.4% a year.
- Germany, 2019-2025
- Labour productivity rose by 0.3% a year.
- France, 2019-2025
- Labour productivity fell by 0.2% a year.
- Report presentation
- 4 November 2026 at CNEL
What people are saying
Una produttività che avanza dà forza al lavoro, rende sostenibili gli investimenti di lungo periodo e amplia le risorse con cui una comunità può prendersi cura dei suoi membri