The number of immigrant entrepreneurs in Italy increased by 24,4% between 2014 and 2024. In the same period, the number of Italians working as entrepreneurs decreased by 5,7%. The data is from 2025 Annual Report on the Economics of Immigration, released this Monday, 20th, by Leone Moressa Foundation, a research institute studying the economics of immigration.
The publication shows that immigrants are concentrated primarily in the construction, retail, and food sectors. In 2024, there were 787 foreign entrepreneurs, equivalent to 10,6% of the total. The majority operate in the country's Center-North regions.
“New Italians” sustain demographics
The immigrant population maintains Italy's active demographic base. In 2024, 5,3 million foreigners legally resided in Italy, representing 8,9% of the population. When those born abroad are included, the number rises to 6,7 million (11,3%).
This growth is linked to the granting or recognition of Italian citizenship — more than 200 per year. Immigrants also have a higher birth rate (9,9 per thousand) and a lower death rate (2,1 per thousand), while among Italians the figures are 6,1 and 12,3 per thousand, respectively.
In 2023, the Italian population fell by 385, while the foreign population grew by 375. Only 6% of immigrants are over 64, compared to 26% of Italians.
Work and contribution to GDP
Foreigners represent 15,2% of the workforce if we consider those born outside Italy. In total, there are 3,65 million foreign workersThey generated 177 billion euros in added value, equivalent to 9% of Gross Domestic Product. In agriculture, this figure reaches 18%, and in construction, 16,4%.
The Unioncamere-Excelsior system forecasts that the country will need 3 million new workers between 2024 and 2028. Of these, 640 are expected to be immigrants. In regions such as Tuscany and Trentino-Alto Adige, the immigrant presence in the new labor demand exceeds 30%.
Low cost to the State, high fiscal return
In 2024, 4,9 million immigrants declared income and paid taxes in Italy. Together, they accounted for €80,4 billion in declared income and €11,6 billion in income tax.
Even with a difference in average income—almost €9 less annually than Italians—immigrants have a low impact on public spending: just 3% of the total. Since most are of working age, they hardly use social security services.
The balance between tax collection and the cost of public services is positive: an additional 1,2 billion euros in 2024.
Remittances abroad
In addition to contributing to the Italian economy, immigrants also support families in their home countries. In 2024, they sent 8,3 billion euros abroad. average of 130 euros (around R$ 832) per month per person.
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