Tuscany once again recorded significant growth in the number of foreign residents. In 2024, there were 16 new immigrants, an increase of 3,7% compared to the previous year, totaling 439.789 people.
The data is part of the Immigration Statistical Dossier, released by Center for Senior Studies, during an event at Sant'Anna High School, in Pisa.
The surge breaks the stability observed in 2023, reflecting the continued settlement of previous residents. The net migration to other countries was positive by 26.332 people, with 29.306 new registrations in the Anagrafe (civil registry). During the same period, 13.373 foreigners acquired Italian citizenship.
Massa Carrara leads percentage growth.
The provinces with the highest percentage growth were Massa Carrara (+6,7%), Arezzo (+4,5%), Florence (+4,3%), Prato (+4,1%) and Lucca (+4%).
Prato remains the province with the highest proportion of foreigners: 22,9% of the population. In Florence, the rate is 13,8%. In total, foreigners represent 12% of the Tuscan population—above the national average of 9,2%.
Maritime migration puts pressure on the reception system.
The increase also reflects the redistribution of rescued migrants in the south of the country. In 2024, the port of Marina di Carrara It received 708 people in 12 operations. In Livorno, 711 arrived, compared to 525 the previous year.
The shelter system is nearing its limit: in June 2024, there were 9.985 people sheltered in the region's facilities, a number only 2% higher than that recorded in December 2023.
Romania, China, and Albania lead in origins.
Most immigrants come from Europe (45,3%), with a particular emphasis on countries in the European Union (22,8%). This is followed by Asia (31,2%), Africa (16,5%) and the Americas (6,9%).
The largest communities are: Romanian (16,8%), Chinese (16,2%), Albanian (13,2%) and Moroccan (6,7%). Senegal and Ukraine each represent 3,2%.
Jobs are growing, but inequalities persist.
The foreign-employed population reached 214 in 2024, a 2,5% increase. They represent 12,8% of the workforce in Tuscany. The growth was driven by women, with 14 new jobs. They now account for 45,3% of employed immigrants.
Despite this, unemployment among foreigners (8,7%) remains above the average for Italians (5,9%). There is also underemployment and a mismatch between education and occupation: 33% of immigrants perform jobs below their qualification level.
Furthermore, 24,6% of foreigners work in unskilled manual labor, compared to 7,2% among Italians.
Immigrants are more entrepreneurial than Italians.
Tuscany ended 2024 with 64.154 companies opened by foreigners — 16,4% of the regional total and above the national average (11,3%).
Prato leads with 34,3% of local companies under foreign management, followed by Florence (19,3%). The communities with the highest participation are: Chinese (23,3%), Albanian (14,3%), Moroccan (11,3%) and Romanian (11,3%). Female leadership is also significant: 27,2% of companies have women at the helm.
Schools have more native foreign students.
Schools in Tuscany registered 73 students with foreign citizenship in the 2023/2024 school year, a 1,1% increase. They represent 15,4% of the student body—a proportion higher than the number of foreign residents.
More than two-thirds (67,4%) were born in Italy. The presence of native-born students reaches 80,9% in early childhood education schools and 70,8% in primary schools.
Around 66,8% of foreign students are enrolled in technical or vocational institutes, while among Italians this rate is 45%.
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