Archive · 20 Jun 2025
Italian Immigration and Emigration Surge to Decade Highs
Italy is seeing more people move in and out than in the last decade.
More foreigners are coming to Italy, with Ukrainians being the biggest group.
Also, a lot more Italians are leaving the country.
This is happening while the country's government wants to control immigration.
Some Italians might be leaving to find better jobs elsewhere, as salaries haven't improved much.
These trends raise concerns about Italy's economy, including a potential brain drain and labor shortages.
Italian immigration and emigration rates have reached a decade high, according to official data.
In 2023, 382,071 foreigners moved to Italy, the highest since 2014.
155,732 Italians emigrated in the same period, also the highest since 2014.
Ukrainians formed the largest group of immigrants in 2023-2024.
Italy's right-wing government aims to curb migrant arrivals amidst a shrinking population and labor shortages.
- Who
- Foreigners are moving to Italy and Italians are emigrating.
- What
- Both Italian immigration and emigration are at their highest levels in a decade.
- When
- Official data shows the trends in 2023 and the increase compared to previous years.
- Where
- Italy.
- Why
- National concerns about brain drain, economic decline and immigration.
Government Stance
Economic Needs
Immigration Policy
Government Stance
Curbs migrant arrivals.
Economic Needs
Need to attract foreign workers
- Immigrants in 2023
- 382,071
- Emigrants in 2023
- 155,732
- Previous High for Immigrants (decade)
- 301,000 (2017)
- Two-year Emigration Increase
- Around 40%
- Two-year Immigration Increase
- 31%
- Largest Immigrant Group (2023-2024)
- Ukrainians