0.8% growth in 2016, 0.9% in 2017- Istat (3)

(ANSA) - Rome, November 21 - National statistics agency Istat on Monday forecast that Italy's gross domestic product will rise 0.8% "in real terms" this year and by 0.9% in 2017. In a report on Italy's economic outlook, Istat said that its forecast for growth this year had been revised down by 0.3% of a percentage point from the prediction it made in May Istat said that its preliminary GDP estimate for the third quarter showed production had resumed and that the outlook suggests Italy's economic growth will continue at a "more moderate pace". "The uncertainty linked to the revival of tensions on the financial markets could condition the path of Italian growth," the agency said. The government has forecast growth of 1% next year.
    Istat said that it expects Italy's unemployment rate to drop to 11.5% this year, compared to 11.9% in 2019, thanks to a 0.9% rise in the number of people in unemployment. "The improvements on the labour market should continue in 2017, but at a more limited pace," Istat said.
    "Jobs are expected to rise by 0.6% and unemployment should be 11.3%".
    It said that it sees Italian investments up 2% this year and accelerate to a rise of 2.7% in 2017. It said an improvement in the economy's growth outlook, better credit-market conditions and fiscal policies supporting business were factors in this rise.