THE JOB MARKET

At the present moment Italy is in a favourable economic climate. Since its entry into the Euro zone (1st January 1999) Italy has gained credibility and is involved in a vast progression of reforms and modernisation. Inflation has been controlled, the exchange rate is stabilised and the growth rate is at 2.6% after having stagnated at around 1.2% in the 90s.

This run-up does not hide the disparities particularly noticeable between the North and the South of the country: the unemployment rate in Mezzogiorno remains very high (more than 20%), whereas the cities of Milan and Turin have become strong economic centres that are particularly attractive in Europe.

Unemployment rate: 11.2%

Principal economic partners: Germany and France then USA, Japan, Great Britain and Greece.

Number of foreign employees: 1 million