Business · Economy · 10 hrs ago
Veneto’s projected growth trails Italy’s, prompting calls for more investment
Veneto is forecast to grow more slowly than Italy overall by the end of 2027, compared with 2019.
Its gross domestic product is projected to rise 6.3%, against 8.1% for Italy and 8.5% for northern Italy.
The region remains a major industrial and export hub, with industry accounting for 28% of its added value and exports worth €80 billion a year.
Veneto spends less on research relative to its economy than the Italian average, despite spending €2.4 billion on research and development in 2023.
Expected industrial investment is also weakening, according to a survey of Veneto businesses by Italy’s central bank.
About 60% of the region’s exports go to European Union countries, linking its fortunes closely to Germany and France, which the analysis says are currently struggling.
The proposed response is to boost investment, especially in sectors that create more value and could contribute more to growth.
EY’s research projects Veneto’s gross domestic product to grow by 6.3% from 2019 to the end of 2027, below Italy’s 8.1% average.
The projection was discussed at the Veneto stop of EY’s 2026 Roadshow in Padua.
EY partner Mario Rocco said weak investment, productivity and competitiveness were weighing on the region.
The research found that Veneto’s research and development spending was €2.4 billion in 2023, fifth highest in Italy in absolute terms but ninth relative to GDP.
Rocco called for renewed investment, especially in higher-value sectors.
- Who
- EY presented research on Veneto’s economy. Mario Rocco, who coordinated it, discussed the findings.
- What
- The research projects Veneto’s GDP growth through the end of 2027 at 6.3%, below the Italian average of 8.1%.
- When
- The findings were discussed at EY’s 2026 Roadshow; the article was published on 21 October 2026.
- Where
- At the Net Center in Padua, in Italy’s Veneto region.
- Why
- Rocco pointed to weak investment, productivity and competitiveness, and said investment in higher-value sectors could support growth.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Veneto’s research and development spending was €2.4 billion.
Veneto recorded more than 22 million tourist arrivals.
EY presented its research at the Net Center in Padua.
The research projects Veneto’s cumulative GDP growth since 2019 at 6.3%.
- Projected Veneto GDP growth to end-2027
- 6.3% from 2019
- Projected Italian GDP growth to end-2027
- 8.1% from 2019
- Veneto research and development spending
- €2.4 billion in 2023
- Veneto exports
- €80 billion a year
- Tourist arrivals in Veneto
- More than 22 million in 2025
What people are saying
The first point concerns investment.
The effects of lower competitiveness, lower productivity and investment are beginning to show in Veneto’s figures.
I would start by pushing for a recovery in investment, especially in higher-value sectors, which can weigh more heavily on growth.