# Italy gender gap and labor market challenges

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italy-gender-gap-in-labour-market
> Updated: 2026-08-17T12:15:45.000Z. Sources: 11. Developments: 3.

Eurostat data released in late July highlighted a stark gender disparity in Italy's labour market, showing that women are expected to work roughly nine years fewer than men over a lifetime. The gap, attributed largely to motherhood responsibilities and limited family‑friendly policies, positioned Italy as having the widest working‑life expectancy difference in the EU.

In early August, the Italian government announced measures to narrow the gender pay gap, including a decree transposing the EU transparency directive and the DDL Professioni bill. Recent ISTAT data reinforced these disparities, showing a 25.7% wage gap in the private sector. Data from Cna indicates Italy’s expected working life for 2025 is projected at 33 years, which is 4.5 years below the EU average. This gap has widened from 4.2 years since 2015, with women’s expected working life at 28.4 years compared to the EU average of 35.4 years.

By mid-August 2026, Italy’s economic landscape presented mixed signals. The Bank of Italy reported a record current account surplus of 30.4 billion euros for the twelve months ending in June 2026, representing 1.3% of GDP, driven largely by a rise in the goods surplus. However, structural labor challenges persist. ILO reports indicate Italy lost 367,000 individuals aged 25 to 34 between 2014 and 2023, while youth unemployment remains at 14.4%. Additionally, analysts have raised concerns regarding potential gas price increases for the upcoming winter due to low storage levels and supply risks.

## Claims

- In 2025, the expected duration of working life in Italy is 33 years. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- Italy's expected working life is 4.5 years below the EU average of 37.5 years. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The expected working life for women in Italy is 28.4 years, compared to the EU average of 35.4 years. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The gender gap in expected working life in Italy is 8.9 years, the highest in the EU. (corroborated by 2 sources)
- The female employment rate in Italy is 58%, which is nearly 13 points below the EU average. (corroborated by 2 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-08-17: Italy reports record current account surplus amid labor market challenges

Italy reports a record 30.4 billion euro current account surplus, but faces labor challenges including high youth emigration and a working life duration significantly below the EU average.

9 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italys-expected-working-life-falls-45-years-below-eu-average

### 2026-08-03: Italy advances gender pay gap measures and professional compensation reform

Italy pushes new measures to narrow the gender pay gap and passes a professional compensation bill aimed at fair pay and reduced gender disparity.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-advances-gender-pay-gap-measures-and-professional-compensation-reform

### 2026-07-23: Italy women face shorter working lives than men, Eurostat data show

Eurostat shows Italian women are expected to work 28.4 years versus 37.3 years for men, the EU's widest gender gap, driven by limited family‑friendly policies.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-women-face-shorter-working-lives-than-men-eurostat-data-show

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Cite as: Italy gender gap and labor market challenges. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italy-gender-gap-in-labour-market