The unification of Italy as a nation-state occurred in 1861 when the various regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, came together under the reign of King Victor EMMANUEL II. The period of parliamentary governance ended in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI instituted a Fascist regime. His partnership with Nazi Germany culminated in Italy's defeat during World War II. In 1946, the monarchy was abolished and succeeded by a democratic republic, which ushered in an era of economic recovery. Italy is a founding member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC), as well as its successor organizations, the EC and the EU. The country has played a pivotal role in the advancement of European economic and political integration, becoming part of the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. However, Italy continues to face ongoing challenges, including slow economic growth, elevated unemployment rates among youth and women, organized crime, corruption, and economic inequality between the southern regions and the more affluent northern areas.

Geography

Area

land

294,140 sq km

water

7,200 sq km

total

301,340 sq km

Climate

primarily Mediterranean; alpine in the extreme north; hot and dry in the southern regions

Terrain

largely characterized by rugged terrain and mountains; includes some plains and coastal lowlands

Land use

other

24% (2023 est.)

forest

31.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

44.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 24% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 12.2% (2023 est.)

Location

Located in Southern Europe, this peninsula extends into the central Mediterranean Sea, situated to the northeast of Tunisia

Coastline

7,600 km

Elevation

lowest point

Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur, a subsidiary peak of Mont Blanc, reaches an elevation of 4,748 m

mean elevation

538 m

Irrigated land

24,460 sq km (2021)

Map references

Europe

Land boundaries

total

1,836.4 km

border countries

Austria 404 km; France 476 km; Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km; San Marino 37 km; Slovenia 218 km; Switzerland 698 km

Maritime claims

territorial sea

12 nm

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

Natural hazards

regional hazards include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and flooding; land subsidence is an issue in Venice

volcanism: notable volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m) is recognized as Europe's most active volcano, with its flank eruptions threatening nearby Sicilian villages; both Etna and the renowned Vesuvius have been classified as Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, highlighting their explosive past and proximity to populated areas; Stromboli, located on its namesake island, has also maintained continuous moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

Geography - note

strategically positioned, it controls access to the central Mediterranean, as well as southern maritime and aerial routes to Western Europe

Natural resources

resources include coal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), along with reserves of natural gas and crude oil, fish, and arable land

Area - comparative

nearly double the area of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona

Geographic coordinates

42 50 N, 12 50 E

Population distribution

a relatively uniform population distribution is found throughout the majority of the nation, with coastal regions, the Po River Valley, and urban hubs (especially Milan, Rome, and Naples) drawing larger and denser populations

Major watersheds (area sq km)

Atlantic Ocean drainage

Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km)

People & Society

Literacy

male

99.5% (2019 est.)

female

99.2% (2019 est.)

total population

99.3% (2019 est.)

Languages

Italian (the official language), German (predominantly spoken in certain areas of the Trentino-Alto Adige region), French (a small French-speaking minority in the Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (present in the Slovene-speaking minority of the Trieste-Gorizia area), Croatian (found in Molise)

major-language sample(s)

L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian)

The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.

Religions

Christianity 80.8% (largely Roman Catholic with minor communities of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9%, unaffiliated 13.4%, other 0.9% (2020 estimate)

Sex ratio

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

0-14 years

1.05 male(s)/female

15-64 years

0.97 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.)

65 years and over

0.79 male(s)/female

Birth rate

7.13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Death rate

11.2 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Median age

male

47.4 years

total

48.8 years (2025 est.)

female

49.4 years

Population

male

29,383,949

total

60,924,851 (2025 est.)

female

31,540,902

Nationality

noun

Italian(s)

adjective

Italian

Tobacco use

male

23.2% (2025 est.)

total

19.8% (2025 est.)

female

16.6% (2025 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

72% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Age structure

0-14 years

11.9% (male 3,699,167/female 3,531,734)

15-64 years

64.5% (male 19,378,160/female 19,958,137)

65 years and over

23.6% (2024 est.) (male 6,336,738/female 8,060,995)

Ethnic groups

Italian (includes small groups of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the northern regions, along with Albanian-Italians, Croat-Italians, and Greek-Italians in the southern regions)

Dependency ratios

total dependency ratio

55.3 (2025 est.)

youth dependency ratio

18.1 (2025 est.)

potential support ratio

2.7 (2025 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

37.2 (2025 est.)

Physician density

4.19 physicians/1,000 population (2022)

Health expenditure

Health expenditure (as % of GDP)

9% of GDP (2022)

Health expenditure (as % of national budget)

11.8% of national budget (2022 est.)

Net migration rate

3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.)

Drinking water source

improved: total

total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.)

Education expenditure

Education expenditure (% GDP)

4.1% of GDP (2022 est.)

Education expenditure (% national budget)

7.4% national budget (2022 est.)

Infant mortality rate

male

3.2 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.)

female

2.9 deaths/1,000 live births

Population growth rate

-0.05% (2025 est.)

Gross reproduction rate

0.62 (2025 est.)

Population distribution

the population is relatively evenly spread across most parts of the country, with coastal regions, the Po River Valley, and major cities (notably Milan, Rome, and Naples) drawing larger and denser populations

Life expectancy at birth

male

80.7 years

female

85.5 years

total population

83 years (2024 est.)

Maternal mortality ratio

6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.)

Sanitation facility access

improved: rural

rural: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: total

total: 100% of population (2022 est.)

improved: urban

urban: 100% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: rural

rural: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: total

total: 0% of population (2022 est.)

unimproved: urban

urban: 0% of population (2022 est.)

Alcohol consumption per capita

beer

1.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

wine

4.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

total

7.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

spirits

0.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

other alcohols

0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.)

Major urban areas - population

4.316 million ROME (capital), 3.155 million Milan, 2.179 million Naples, 1.802 million Turin, 913,000 Bergamo, 850,000 Palermo (2023)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.9% (2016)

Mother's mean age at first birth

31.4 years (2020 est.)

Currently married women (ages 15-49)

51.8% (2023 est.)

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

male

16 years (2023 est.)

total

17 years (2023 est.)

female

17 years (2023 est.)

Environment

Climate

largely Mediterranean; alpine in the extreme north; arid and warm in the southern region

Geoparks

global geoparks and regional networks

Adamello-Brenta; Alpi Apuane; Aspromonte; Beigua; Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni; Madonie; Maiella; MurGEopark; Pollino; Rocca di Cerere; Sesia Val Grande; Tuscan Mining Park (2025)

total global geoparks and regional networks

12 (2025)

Land use

other

24% (2023 est.)

forest

31.8% (2023 est.)

agricultural land

44.3% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: arable land

arable land: 24% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent crops

permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.)

agricultural land: permanent pasture

permanent pasture: 12.2% (2023 est.)

Urbanization

urban population

72% of total population (2023)

rate of urbanization

0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.)

Methane emissions

other

35.3 kt (2019-2021 est.)

waste

523.4 kt (2019-2021 est.)

energy

276.4 kt (2022-2024 est.)

agriculture

764.9 kt (2019-2021 est.)

Waste and recycling

municipal solid waste generated annually

30.088 million tons (2024 est.)

percent of municipal solid waste recycled

39.9% (2022 est.)

Environmental issues

air contamination resulting from industrial discharges; water contamination due to industrial and agricultural runoff, in addition to acid precipitation; insufficient facilities for the treatment and disposal of industrial waste

Total water withdrawal

municipal

9.148 billion cubic meters (2022)

industrial

7.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

agricultural

17 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions

total emissions

307.442 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from consumed natural gas

118.604 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from coal and metallurgical coke

26.15 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

from petroleum and other liquids

162.688 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.)

Particulate matter emissions

12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.)

Total renewable water resources

191.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.)

International environmental agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol

Government

Flag

description: consists of three equal vertical stripes of green (on the left), white, and red

meaning: the colors are a combination of Milan's red and white, along with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard

history: the design is derived from the French flag introduced to Italy by Napoleon in 1797

Capital

name

Rome

etymology

traditionally, the name is attributed to Romulus, a legendary figure among the city's founders; however, it is possible that Romulus is derived from the name of the city itself; the origin of the name Rome may trace back to an Etruscan term for the Tiber River, which was Roma or Ruma

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

daylight saving time

+1 hour, commencing on the last Sunday of March and concluding on the last Sunday of October

geographic coordinates

41 54 N, 12 29 E

Suffrage

18 years; universally applicable except for senatorial elections, which require a minimum age of 25

Citizenship

citizenship by birth

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

4 years for EU citizens, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, and 10 years for all other applicants

Constitution

history

the prior version was from 1848 (originally for the Kingdom of Sardinia and adopted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1861); the most recent version was enacted on 22 December 1947, adopted on 27 December 1947, and took effect on 1 January 1948

amendment process

proposed by both Parliamentary houses; to pass, it requires two consecutive debates and an absolute majority approval in each house during the second vote; a referendum is only needed if demanded by one-fifth of the members of either house, through voter petition, or by 5 Regional Councils (elected legislative bodies of the 15 first-level administrative regions and 5 autonomous regions of Italy); a referendum is not necessary if an amendment has received a two-thirds majority in both houses during the second vote

Country name

former

Kingdom of Italy

etymology

the origin is uncertain; it is traditionally believed to be derived from the Vitali, a tribe that settled in what is now Calabria, which is thought to be linked to the Latin word vitulus, meaning "calf;" alternatively, the name might stem from a local ruler known as Italus in Roman times

local long form

Repubblica Italiana

local short form

Italia

conventional long form

Italian Republic

conventional short form

Italy

Independence

17 March 1861

Legal system

civil law system; the Constitutional Court reviews legislation under specified conditions

Government type

parliamentary republic

Judicial branch

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Cassation or Corte Suprema di Cassazione (comprises the first president, a deputy president, 54 justices overseeing 6 civil and 7 criminal divisions, along with 288 judges; an additional 30 lower court judges act as supporting judges; cases are typically heard by panels of 5 judges; more intricate cases are considered by panels of 9 judges); Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (includes the court president and 14 judges)

subordinate courts

various lower civil and criminal courts (primary and secondary tribunals and courts of appeal)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges are appointed by the High Council of the Judiciary, led by the president of the republic; judges may hold their positions for life; Constitutional Court judges - 5 are appointed by the president, 5 elected by Parliament, and 5 elected by selected higher courts; judges serve terms of up to 9 years

Executive branch

cabinet

the Council of Ministers is proposed by the prime minister, who holds the official title of President of the Council of Ministers and is informally referred to as the premier; the prime minister is nominated by the president

chief of state

President Sergio MATTARELLA (since 3 February 2015)

election results

2022: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) reelected president; electoral college vote count in eighth round - 759 out of 1,009 (505 vote threshold)

2015: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 995 (505 vote threshold)

head of government

Prime Minister Giorgia MELONI (since 22 October 2022); the official title of the prime minister is President of the Council of Ministers

most recent election date

24-29 January 2022 (eight rounds)

election/appointment process

the president is indirectly elected by an electoral college comprised of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a term of 7 years (with no term limits); the prime minister is appointed by the president and confirmed by Parliament

expected date of next election

2029

National holiday

Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

National color(s)

red, white, green

National heritage

total World Heritage Sites

61 (55 cultural, 6 natural)

selected World Heritage Site locales

Historic Center of Rome (c); Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata (c); Venice and its Lagoon (c); Historic Center of Florence (c); Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (c); Historic Centre of Naples (c); Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)(c); Mount Etna (n); Cultural landscape of the Benedictine settlements in medieval Italy (c); Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (c); City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (c); Crespi d'Adda (c); Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (c); Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (c); Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (c); Costiera Amalfitana (c); Villa Romana del Casale (c); Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (c); Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (c); Historic Centre of Urbino (c); Villa Adriana (Tivoli) (c); Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (c); City of Verona (c); Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) (n); Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (c); Val d'Orcia (c); Mantua and Sabbioneta (c); The Dolomites (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany (c); Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar (c); Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles (c); The Porticoes of Bologna (c); Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (n); Via Appia: Regina Viarum (c); Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas (c)

Political parties

Action-Italia Viva
Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE
Brothers of Italy or FdI
Democratic Party or PD
Five Star Movement or M5S
Forza Italia or FI
Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU
Greens and Left Alliance or AVS
League or Lega
More Europe or +EU
South calls North or ScN
South Tyrolean Peoples Party or SVP
Us Moderates or NM
other minor parties

Legislative branch

legislature name

Parliament (Il Parlamento)

legislative structure

bicameral

National anthem(s)

title

"Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians)

history

adopted in 2005; the anthem, originally composed in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn) and "Fratelli d'Italia" (Brothers of Italy)

lyrics/music

Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO

National symbol(s)

five-pointed white star (Stella d'Italia)

National coat of arms

this coat of arms has represented the Italian Republic since 5 May 1948, when Paolo Paschetto’s design won a two-year public competition; the olive branch symbolizes national and international peace; the oak branch signifies the strength and dignity of the Italian populace, while the steel cog-wheel represents their industriousness; the single star denotes Italy’s unity

Administrative divisions

15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma)

regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto

autonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallée d'Aoste (French)

Legislative branch - lower chamber

chamber name

Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati)

term in office

5 years

number of seats

400 (all directly elected)

electoral system

mixed system

scope of elections

full renewal

most recent election date

9/25/2022

expected date of next election

September 2027

percentage of women in chamber

32.8%

parties elected and seats per party

Coalition Brothers of Italy (FdI) - Lega - Forza Italia - Us Moderates (Noi moderati, NM) (237); Democratic Party - Democratic and Progressive Italy (PD-IDP) - Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) - +EUROPA" - Civic Commitment (IC) (84); Five Star Movement (M5s) (52); Action - Italia Viva (21); Other (6)

Legislative branch - upper chamber

chamber name

Senate (Senato della Repubblica)

term in office

5 years

number of seats

205 (200 directly elected; 5 appointed)

electoral system

mixed system

scope of elections

full renewal

most recent election date

9/25/2022

expected date of next election

September 2027

percentage of women in chamber

36.3%

parties elected and seats per party

Coalition Brothers of Italy (FdI) - Lega - Forza Italia - Us Moderates (Noi moderati, NM) (115); Democratic Party - Democratic and Progressive Italy (PD-IDP) - Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) - +EUROPA" - Civic Commitment (IC) (44); Five Star Movement (M5s) (28); Other (13)

Diplomatic representation in the US

FAX

[1] (202) 518-2154

chancery

3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

telephone

[1] (202) 612-4400

consulate(s)

Detroit

chief of mission

Ambassador Marco PERONACI (since 5 September 2025)

consulate(s) general

Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco

email address and website

[email protected]

https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/

Diplomatic representation from the US

FAX

[39] 06-4674-2244

embassy

via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma

telephone

[39] 06-46741

mailing address

9500 Rome Place, Washington DC 20521-9500

chief of mission

Ambassador Tilman J. FERTITTA (since 6 May 2025); note - also serves as accredited ambassador to San Marino

consulate(s) general

Florence, Milan, Naples

email address and website

[email protected]

https://it.usembassy.gov/

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with conditions; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

Economy

Budget

revenues

$935.038 billion (2023 est.)

expenditures

$1.104 trillion (2023 est.)

Exports

Exports 2022

$737.083 billion (2022 est.)

Exports 2023

$774.311 billion (2023 est.)

Exports 2024

$778.898 billion (2024 est.)

Imports

Imports 2022

$775.518 billion (2022 est.)

Imports 2023

$739.646 billion (2023 est.)

Imports 2024

$717.278 billion (2024 est.)

Industries

tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

Labor force

25.828 million (2024 est.)

Public debt

Public debt 2017

131.8% of GDP (2017 est.)

Remittances

Remittances 2022

0.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Remittances 2023

0.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Remittances 2024

0.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Exchange rates

Currency

euros (EUR) per US dollar -

Exchange rates 2020

0.876 (2020 est.)

Exchange rates 2021

0.845 (2021 est.)

Exchange rates 2022

0.95 (2022 est.)

Exchange rates 2023

0.925 (2023 est.)

Exchange rates 2024

0.924 (2024 est.)

Economic overview

high-income, central EU economy; robust services, manufacturing, and tourism sectors; moderate growth bolstered by net exports, low inflation, and public investments through EU funds; constrained labor market with an aging workforce and shortages in specialized skills; elevated levels of public debt

Unemployment rate

Unemployment rate 2022

8.1% (2022 est.)

Unemployment rate 2023

7.7% (2023 est.)

Unemployment rate 2024

6.8% (2024 est.)

Exports - partners

Germany 11%, USA 11%, France 10%, Spain 5%, UK 5% (2023)

Imports - partners

Germany 15%, France 9%, China 8%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 5% (2023)

Real GDP per capita

Real GDP per capita 2022

$52,300 (2022 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2023

$52,700 (2023 est.)

Real GDP per capita 2024

$53,100 (2024 est.)

Real GDP growth rate

Real GDP growth rate 2022

4.8% (2022 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2023

0.7% (2023 est.)

Real GDP growth rate 2024

0.7% (2024 est.)

Agricultural products

milk, wheat, grapes, tomatoes, maize, olives, apples, oranges, sugar beets, rice (2023)

Exports - commodities

packaged medicine, garments, cars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories (2023)

Imports - commodities

natural gas, crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2023)

Current account balance

Current account balance 2022

-$36.325 billion (2022 est.)

Current account balance 2023

$3.261 billion (2023 est.)

Current account balance 2024

$26.76 billion (2024 est.)

Taxes and other revenues

24.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$2.373 trillion (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by end use

household consumption

58.3% (2023 est.)

government consumption

17.8% (2023 est.)

investment in inventories

0.4% (2023 est.)

investment in fixed capital

22.5% (2023 est.)

exports of goods and services

33.5% (2023 est.)

imports of goods and services

-32.1% (2023 est.)

Population below poverty line

20.1% (2021 est.)

Average household expenditures

on food

14.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

on alcohol and tobacco

3.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2022

8.2% (2022 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2023

5.6% (2023 est.)

Inflation rate (consumer prices) 2024

1% (2024 est.)

Industrial production growth rate

0.2% (2024 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2022

$3.088 trillion (2022 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2023

$3.11 trillion (2023 est.)

Real GDP (purchasing power parity) 2024

$3.133 trillion (2024 est.)

Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24)

male

19.9% (2024 est.)

total

21.8% (2024 est.)

female

24.8% (2024 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2022

$224.581 billion (2022 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2023

$247.396 billion (2023 est.)

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold 2024

$290.547 billion (2024 est.)

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

industry

21.7% (2024 est.)

services

65.6% (2024 est.)

agriculture

2% (2024 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

lowest 10%

2.5% (2022 est.)

highest 10%

25.3% (2022 est.)

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income

Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income 2022

33.7 (2022 est.)

Energy

Coal

exports

304,000 metric tons (2023 est.)

imports

12.069 million metric tons (2023 est.)

production

1.572 million metric tons (2023 est.)

consumption

12.424 million metric tons (2023 est.)

proven reserves

609.999 million metric tons (2023 est.)

Petroleum

total petroleum production

111,000 bbl/day (2023 est.)

crude oil estimated reserves

497.934 million barrels (2021 est.)

refined petroleum consumption

1.245 million bbl/day (2024 est.)

Electricity

exports

3.32 billion kWh (2023 est.)

imports

54.572 billion kWh (2023 est.)

consumption

290.664 billion kWh (2023 est.)

installed generating capacity

128.692 million kW (2023 est.)

transmission/distribution losses

17.62 billion kWh (2023 est.)

Natural gas

exports

2.609 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

imports

61.851 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

production

2.778 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

consumption

61.906 billion cubic meters (2023 est.)

proven reserves

45.76 billion cubic meters (2021 est.)

Nuclear energy

Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down

4 (2025)

Electricity access

electrification - total population

100% (2022 est.)

Energy consumption per capita

Total energy consumption per capita 2023

96.797 million Btu/person (2023 est.)

Electricity generation sources

wind

9.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

solar

12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

geothermal

2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

fossil fuels

56% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

hydroelectricity

14.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

biomass and waste

6.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.)

Communications

Internet users

percent of population

87% (2023 est.)

Broadcast media

the media landscape is primarily controlled by two major Italian corporations, which operate 3 national terrestrial channels; additionally, privately owned enterprises manage 3 national terrestrial channels; there exists a significant quantity of private broadcasters, a satellite television network; 3 AM/FM radio stations operating on a national scale; and approximately 1,300 commercial radio outlets.

Internet country code

.it

Telephones - fixed lines

total subscriptions

20.107 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

34 (2023 est.)

Telephones - mobile cellular

total subscriptions

78.7 million (2024 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

133 (2024 est.)

Broadband - fixed subscriptions

total

20.1 million (2023 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

34 (2023 est.)

Transportation

Ports

large

small

medium

key ports

Brindisi, Civitavecchia, Genova, Gioia Tauro, La Spezia, Livorno, Messina, Napoli, Porto di Lido-Venezia, Siracusa, Taranto, Trieste

very small

total ports

123 (2024)

size unknown

ports with oil terminals

Airports

655 (2025)

Railways

total

18,475 km (2020) 12,936 km electrified

Heliports

163 (2025)

Merchant marine

total

1,276 (2023)

by type

bulk carrier 17, container vessel 6, general cargo ships 109, oil tanker 95, miscellaneous 1,049

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

Military & Security

Military - note

The Italian military is tasked with safeguarding Italy's national defense and security while fulfilling the nation's obligations to the EU, NATO, the UN, and other multinational military, humanitarian, and security operations. Additionally, it has certain responsibilities related to domestic security. Italy's security policy and international collaboration prominently focus on Europe’s eastern and southern borders, which encompass the Mediterranean Sea, East and North Africa, and the Middle East along with its surrounding waters.

Since its inception in 1948, Italy has played an active role in NATO, which serves as a fundamental element of Rome's national security strategy. It ranks among the top contributors of military personnel to NATO and engages in various Alliance missions, including Air Policing in the Baltics, the Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, and maritime patrols in the Mediterranean and beyond. Furthermore, Italy is home to NATO’s Joint Force Command located in Naples and a NATO Rapid Deployable Corps headquarters situated in Milan.

Italy also participates actively in European/EU defense cooperation and integration, including serving as the host for the EU’s Mediterranean naval operations headquarters in Rome. Moreover, Italy maintains strong defense relations with the United States and accommodates several US military air, army, and naval bases and facilities (2025).

Military deployments

On average, Italy has around 8,000 military personnel engaged in support of NATO, UN, and various foreign missions. Major ground troop deployments consist of 750 in Bulgaria, 250 in Hungary, 870 in Kosovo, 300 in Latvia, and 875 in Lebanon. Additionally, air and naval units are assigned to support NATO missions (2025).

Military expenditures

Military Expenditures 2021

1.5% of GDP (2021 est.)

Military Expenditures 2022

1.5% of GDP (2022 est.)

Military Expenditures 2023

1.5% of GDP (2023 est.)

Military Expenditures 2024

1.5% of GDP (2024 est.)

Military Expenditures 2025

2% of GDP (2025 est.)

Military and security forces

The Italian Armed Forces (Forze Armate Italiane) comprise the Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI; which includes aviation and marines), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), and the Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2025).

Military service age and obligation

Individuals aged 17 or 18 may voluntarily enlist for military service, applicable to both men and women. The minimum duration of voluntary service is 12 months, with the possibility of extending their commitment within the Armed Forces or competing for roles in other government security organizations. Conscription was abolished in 2004 (2025).

Military equipment inventories and acquisitions

The military's arsenal consists of a combination of domestically produced, imported, and jointly developed weapon systems, with imports primarily sourced from Europe and the United States. The Italian defense industry is adept at manufacturing equipment across all military domains, particularly excelling in aircraft, armored vehicles, and naval vessels. It also collaborates in the joint development and production of advanced weapon systems with other European nations and the United States (2025).

Military and security service personnel strengths

Italy boasts approximately 170,000 active-duty military personnel, along with about 105,000 Carabinieri (2025).

Terrorism

Terrorist group(s)

Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS)

Transnational Issues

Refugees and internally displaced persons

refugees

520,127 (2024 est.)

stateless persons

3,000 (2024 est.)

Space

Space launch site(s)

The Broglio Space Center, also known as San Marco or Malindi, is situated close to Malindi, Kenya, and functioned as a satellite launch facility for Italy and international missions from 1967 until 1988. In 2020, Italy reached an agreement with Kenya to reinitiate rocket launches from this site in the future. Since 2004, the Italian Space Agency has employed the site as a ground station for satellites.

The Italian Government has identified Taranto-Grottaglie Airport as a prospective spaceport and has entered into framework agreements with commercial space enterprises, potentially leading to suborbital and orbital launches from what is to be named the Grottaglie Spaceport by 2025.

Space agency/agencies

The Italian Space Agency, or L’Agenzia Spaziale Italiana (ASI), was established in 1988 and is expected to operate in its full capacity by 2025.

Space program overview

ASI is one of the leading contributors to the European Space Agency (ESA), engaging in the design, construction, launch, and operation of communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites. It also designs and fabricates probes, rockets, and satellite launch vehicles (SLVs), while researching and developing an array of other space technologies and participating in numerous international initiatives. The agency hosts the ESA Center for Earth Observation and has a cadre of astronauts within the ESA astronaut corps. It has collaborated with various foreign space agencies and industries, including those from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the US. ASI is involved in international projects such as the International Space Station and boasts significant commercial space industries with diverse capabilities as of 2025.

Key space-program milestones

1964 - The first domestically produced scientific satellite, San Marco-1, was launched by the United States.

1977 - The first domestically constructed telecommunications and research satellite, Sirio, was launched by the United States.

1990s-2011 - Italy participated in the US Space Shuttle program, culminating in the first Italian astronaut traveling to space in 1992.

1998-present - Italy has been involved in the International Space Station project, which included the first European astronaut aboard the station in 2001, the first Italian to command it from 2019 to 2020, and the first female commander of the station in 2022.

2012 - The inaugural launch of the Italian-designed VEGA 3-stage satellite launch vehicle (SLV) for ESA occurred.

2020 - Italy signed the US-led Artemis Accords, focusing on space and lunar exploration.

2023 - The first all-electric Italian satellite, MicroHETSat, was created for the ESA and launched by the United States; the development of a habitat for the US-led Artemis Lunar Gateway project commenced.

2025 - Italy enacted a national space law to regulate its space activities.

Italy data is included in the Bamwor global dataset, a structured database used by developers and AI systems.

Access this data programmatically via the Bamwor API:
https://bamwor.com/api/v1/countries/italy

For AI-native workflows, the Bamwor MCP Server provides direct structured access.

API Documentation →MCP Server →

GET /api/v1/countries/italy

More from Europe

See all

Akrotiri

Albania

2.6M

Andorra

85K

Austria

9.2M

Belarus

9.5M

Belgium

12.0M

Bosnia and Herzegovina

3.7M

Bulgaria

6.7M

Compare with...