In 2022, turnover and investment for Italian service firms and industrial firms excluding construction with 20 or more employees continued to grow, albeit at a slower pace than in the previous year. Economic activity was favoured by the easing of difficulties in the sourcing of production inputs, though it was held back by soaring energy prices, which contributed to widespread increases in selling prices. Total employment rose in 2022, recouping the contraction observed during the pandemic.
The share of firms willing to take on more debt in 2022 declined further, to the lowest figure ever reached since the data for this variable started being collected in 2010. The decrease reflected a worsening, in the second half of the year, of firms' assessments of overall borrowing conditions, especially with regard to the interest rates offered.
This year, firms expect sales volumes to be broadly stationary and selling prices to continue to increase, although more slowly than in 2022. Investment plans point to decreased spending for firms in industry excluding construction and continued expansion for service firms. Employment is expected to grow across all sectors.
In the construction sector, the upturn in production and employment that began in 2021 both in the residential construction and in the public works segments continued throughout 2022, albeit at a slower pace. According to firms, economic activity is likely to contract this year.
