The coronavirus epidemic could lead to a 6% drop in Italy's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2020, estimates Confindustria, the General Confederation of Italian Industry.
The activity of the third economy in the euro zone should however recover slightly in 2021, with an increase of 3.2%, she predicts.
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Due to the decline in growth and the sharp increase in public spending intended to alleviate the economic consequences of the crisis, continues the employers' organization, the public deficit should reach 5% of GDP in 2020.
Without an increase in value added tax or an increase in indirect taxes, it says it should return to 3.2% of GDP in 2021.
The debt-to-GDP ratio should reach 147.2% in 2020 before falling to 144.7% the following year, adds the confederation.