In order to improve the timeliness of statistical information on the Italian labour market and in accordance with the agreements made within the European Union, Istat publishes monthly estimates of the main labour market indicators resulting from the "Labour force survey". In July 2016, 22,765 million persons were employed, -0.3% compared with June. Unemployed were 2,944 million, -1.3% over the previous month. The unemployment rate declined 0.2% to 11.4%.