Tourism is one of the sectors that contributes least to the Italian economy, according to a study.

Tourism, one of Italy's most symbolic sectors, is among those that generate the least value per worker in the country's economy. This is according to an analysis based on 2023 data from Eurostat, which indicates that the average added value in tourism was only 27.800 euros per employee. The national average is more than double: 63.200 euros.

The most productive sector was energy, with €385.700 per worker. This was followed by pharmaceutical manufacturing (€167.800), the chemical industry (€121.400), the automotive sector (€113.500), and aerospace transport (€103.100). All of these are well above the national average.

The low economic contribution of tourism reflects broader structural problems. Despite the heavy workload, productivity in Italy remains stagnant. Output per unit of capital and labor has fallen by about 11% since 1980, even though Italians work more hours than the European average.

Small businesses dominate, but produce less.

The Italian business landscape is composed almost entirely of small structures. Approximately 99% of companies are small or medium-sized enterprises, and 94% are micro-enterprises with fewer than ten employees. Although they have a significant weight in the GDP, these companies generate less value than medium and large corporations, which alone are responsible for a third of the country's added value, even though they represent only 0,1% of the total.

This scenario also has roots in corporate culture. According to OECD data, 85% of Italian companies are family-owned, which usually implies more conservative management, with less appetite for risk and less investment in innovation.

Digitization can help break the stagnation.

Lack of productivity is not solely linked to company size. Factors such as technological lag, bureaucracy, and low investment in training also contribute to the sluggish economy.

OECD studies show that small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) that adopt advanced digital technologies, such as artificial intelligence and e-commerce tools, can increase their productivity by up to 15%. Technological modernization is cited as one of the most accessible ways for smaller companies to grow efficiently.

According to analysts, overcoming the stagnation of Italian economy It requires awareness of the obstacles, strategic planning, and overcoming the stagnation that has limited the country's potential for decades.

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