The Italian economy has been one of the most turbulent in Europe. Its growth rates have consistently been amongst the highest in the European Community, but concerns about underlying structural weaknesses were highlighted by its ignominious departure from the ERM. Since then, despite continuing political upheavals, the performance of the real economy has been buoyant. The Italian Economy in the 1990's presents an authoritative and up-to-date account of one of Europe's major economies as we reach the middle of the decade. Rich in data, it provides analysis of: *Italy's economic performance *the labour market *public debt *privatisation.