From January to December 2024, around 66,000 migrants arrived in Italy by sea. Between 2014 and 2024, the number of migrants setting foot in the country peaked in 2016 at 181,000 individuals, whereas in 2019 only 11,400 people were rescued from the sea. In fact, stricter immigration policies were enacted between 2018 and 2019 by the right-wing and populist government supported by the League and the Five-Star Movement. Among the most frequent countries of origin declared upon arrivals in 2024, Bangladesh and Syria ranked in the first places. About 13,800 were Bangladeshi citizens, while around 12,500 immigrants came from Syria. Asylum seekers and minors among the migrants In 2023, the largest number of asylum applicants in Italy were from Bangladesh. In fact, 23,450 requests were recorded as of December 2023, while 18,300 applicants were from Egypt, the second most common nationality among asylum seekers. In recent years, many unaccompanied minors reached the Italian coasts. In 2024, 8,043 children migrated without their parents into the country. Contrasting opinions and distorted perceptions  According to the data published by Ipsos, a part of Italians tend to overestimate the size of the immigrated population. The results of this survey uncovered the presence of distorted perceptions in 2018: people thought that about 28 percent of the Italian population was not born in Italy, whereas the actual percentage was around ten. Furthermore, the public opinion on migration was controversial. In the same year, roughly half of the population perceived migrants as a risk for the Italian economy. On the other hand, 18 percent of Italians believed that migration could be a resource for the country.

In 2024, 13,779 immigrants who reached Italy came from Bangladesh. Moreover, around 12,500 migrants were from Syria, whereas 7,700 people originated from Tunisia. These three nationalities constituted more than half of the total individuals arrived. Mediterranean routes to Europe The Mediterranean Sea recorded the largest number of deaths and missing cases of migrants worldwide. The Mediterranean Route leading to Italy is known as the Central Mediterranean Route, which counts the highest number of fatalities among the different Mediterranean routes. This route includes the crossing from North Africa to Italy, as well as to Malta. The main departing country is Libya, while Tunisia, Egypt, and East Algeria are minor departing shores. After the Central Mediterranean Sea, the Eastern Mediterranean Sea registered the second-highest number of deaths and missing people. The Eastern Mediterranean route includes migration flows from Türkiye to Greece and Cyprus. Main countries of arrival Between January and October 2024, Italy was the European country registering the largest number of migrants' arrivals. All the 55,000 immigrants reached the country by sea. Spain was the second country of first arrival in Europe, followed by Greece. The overall number of migrants who set foot on Italian shores expanded in the last years. However, the death and missing cases did not drop proportionally to the number of people who reached the coast.

As of December 2024, Lombardy was the region in Italy hosting the largest share of immigrants, followed by Emilia-Romagna, Lazio, and Piedmont. Lombardy is the region with the highest number of inhabitants in the country. The north Italian region has ten million residents, around one sixth of the total national population, and was housing 18,200 immigrants. The Mediterranean route to Europe  In 2020, 955 migrants died or went missing in the Italian Central Mediterranean Sea in the attempt to reach Europe. In 2024, 66,317 people arrived at the Italian shores, 91,300 individuals less compared to 2023. Death and missing cases still represent a serious hazard for the people who want to reach Italy from North Africa. Racism on the rise in Italy Race-related violence is strictly correlated with immigration. According to 2020 data, the cases of racial physical violence increased, in particular between 2016 and 2018. Over these three years, the cases of body violence ranged from 24 to 127 attacks. Similarly, insults, threats, and harassment became more widespread. Between 2017 and 2019, the cases grew from 88 to 206, while only in the first three months of 2020 there were 53 episodes of racist insults, threats, and harassment.

Historical dataset showing Italy immigration statistics by year from 1960 to 2015.

Between January and August 2021, the immigration numbers in Italy were largely influenced by citizens from Africa. Tunisia represented the most frequent origin country declared upon arrival, while Egypt and Ivory Coast occupied the third and fourth positions in this ranking. During the first eight months of 2021, 11 thousand Tunisians arrived on the Italian shores, while the number of people from Bangladesh amounted to 5.3 thousand.

Nationality of asylum seekers  

In October 2020, 792 asylum applicants in Italy came were from Pakistan. Pakistani represented the most frequent nationality of asylum seekers according to the requests processed in that month. Nigerian was the second most common nationality, with 501 requests made in October 2020. In the same month, 471 examined asylum applications were made by Bangladeshis. Bangladesh is among the most frequent places of origins declared upon arrival in Italy.

Unaccompanied and separated children

In 2019, 659 unaccompanied and separated children arrived in Italy to seek for asylum. Between 2014 and 2019, the number of asylum applications from unaccompanied children peaked in 2017 at 9.8 thousand. The largest percentage of unaccompanied and separated children who arrived in Italy by sea were from Sudan. Separated children are children separated from both their parents, for instance due to conflicts or other disasters. Unaccompanied children are infants separated from both parents or other relatives, which are by law responsible for taking care of them.

Italy Vital Statistics: Net Migration: Male data was reported at 55,638.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 42,115.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Net Migration: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 161,518.000 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 621,061.000 Person in 2013 and a record low of 12,745.000 Person in 2015. Italy Vital Statistics: Net Migration: Male data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

In 2023, the biggest communities of foreign nationals in Italy were in Milan, Bologna, Florence, Turin, Rome, and Genoa, where more than ten percent of the inhabitants were not of Italian origin. These cities are mostly located in the north of the country. On the contrary, in the southern municipalities of Bari, Catania, and Palermo the incidence of the immigrant population is minimal, well below **** percent. Italian demographics In 2024, beyond **** million foreign residents lived in Italy, compared to the total population of ** million inhabitants. Projections assert that in the upcoming years, the number of Italian citizens will progressively decrease, mostly given to the aging population and low birth rates. In fact, it has been predicted that the median age could reach **** years by 2050, whereas the country experienced a constant decline in the number of births. In 2010, almost ******* babies came into life, but ten years later only ******* births were recorded. The divide between north and south From the distribution of immigrant residents, there is an evident separation between the northern Italian regions and the southern part of the country, making those territories less attractive for foreigners in terms of work opportunities. Analysis on the index of the gross domestic product (GDP) per capita in 2005, in 2015 and 2025 reveal that the total wealth produced by the southern region represents only half of the one recorded in the north. Moreover, in 2023 the unemployment rate in northern regions was around **** percent, whereas in the south it reached ** percent.

Italy Vital Statistics: Emigration: Center data was reported at 21,918.000 Person in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 28,597.000 Person for Nov 2017. Italy Vital Statistics: Emigration: Center data is updated monthly, averaging 24,003.500 Person from Jan 2003 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 180 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 115,985.000 Person in Dec 2013 and a record low of 13,247.000 Person in Aug 2003. Italy Vital Statistics: Emigration: Center data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Countries data was reported at 343,440.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 300,823.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Countries data is updated yearly, averaging 347,106.000 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 558,019.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of 222,801.000 Person in 2002. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Countries data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

IntroductionThe health status and health care needs of immigrant populations must be assessed. The aim of this study was to evaluate barriers to accessing primary care and the appropriateness of health care among resident immigrants in Italy, using indicators regarding maternal health, avoidable hospitalization, and emergency care.MethodsCross-sectional study using some indicators of the National Monitoring System of Health Status and Healthcare of the Immigrant Population (MSHIP), coordinated by the National Institute for Health, Migration and Poverty (INMP), calculated on perinatal care, hospital discharge, and emergency department databases for the years 2016–2017 in nine Italian regions (Piedmont, Trento, Bolzano, Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Latium, Basilicata, Sicily). The analyses were conducted comparing immigrant and Italian residents.ResultsCompared to Italian women, immigrant women had fewer than five gynecological examinations (8.5 vs. 16.3%), fewer first examinations after the 12th week of gestational age (3.8 vs. 12.5%), and fewer than two ultrasounds (1.0 vs. 3.8%). Compared to Italians, immigrants had higher standardized rates (× 1,000 residents) of avoidable hospitalizations (males: 2.1 vs. 1.4; females: 0.9 vs. 0.7) and of access to emergency departments for non-urgent conditions (males: 62.0 vs. 32.7; females: 52.9 vs. 31.4).ConclusionsIn Italy, there appear to be major issues regarding accessing services and care for the immigrant population. Policies aimed at improving socioeconomic conditions and promoting integration can promote healthy lifestyles and appropriate access to health care, counteracting the emergence of health inequities in the immigrant population.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Italian Municipalities (OIM) data was reported at 1,334,425.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 1,330,388.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Italian Municipalities (OIM) data is updated yearly, averaging 1,373,541.000 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,567,143.000 Person in 2012 and a record low of 1,275,339.000 Person in 2002. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Oth Italian Municipalities (OIM) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: OIM data was reported at 667,378.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 667,107.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: OIM data is updated yearly, averaging 686,317.500 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 785,421.000 Person in 2012 and a record low of 624,851.000 Person in 2002. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: OIM data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

Between January and November 2021, 59.7 thousand migrants arrived in Italy by sea. August recorded the highest number of arrivals. During 2020, instead, the number of migrants who stepped foot in Italy peaked in July at 7.1 thousand people. The largest number of people migrating to Italy weas registered in the years 2016 and 2017. In October 2016, 27.4 thousand individuals reached the Italian coasts by crossing the Mediterranean Sea, the highest monthly figure recorded in the past four years.

The main ports of arrivals  

In 2018, the main port where migrants arrived was Pozzallo, a city in Sicily, in the South of Italy. Pozzallo is in the province of Ragusa, located directly on the Mediterranean Sea. The number of migrants who set foot in Pozzallo in 2018 amounted to 3.8 thousand people. In that year, the Island of Lampedusa was the second most important harbor for the arrivals. Almost 3.5 thousand migrants arrived on this Sicilian island. Lampedusa is only about 113 kilometers (70 miles) away from Tunisia and represents an important entry port for the whole of Europe.

Asylum applications mostly denied 

In 2020, a total of 27 thousand asylum applications were registered in Italy. However, data on the examined requests show that asylum was denied in most of the cases. As a matter of fact, in 76 percent of the cases examined over 2020, applicants were not given the asylum status. Only 11 percent of migrants received the refugee status during that year, whilst another 11 percent of people were assigned a subsidiary protection.

Sector: Population

Algorithm: Migration balance on average resident population * 1,000

Phenomenon: Flow

Territorial comparisons: South Tyrol, North-East, Italy

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Marche data was reported at 3,294.000 Person in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,064.000 Person for Nov 2017. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Marche data is updated monthly, averaging 3,963.500 Person from Jan 2003 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 180 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 13,788.000 Person in Dec 2013 and a record low of 2,712.000 Person in Jun 2015. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Marche data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: Other Countries (OC) data was reported at 143,500.000 Person in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 131,732.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: Other Countries (OC) data is updated yearly, averaging 175,006.000 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 301,080.000 Person in 2007 and a record low of 113,079.000 Person in 2002. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Female: Other Countries (OC) data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Male: Oth Reasons data was reported at 62,091.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 65,141.000 Person for 2016. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Male: Oth Reasons data is updated yearly, averaging 64,695.000 Person from Dec 2002 (Median) to 2017, with 16 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 767,010.000 Person in 2013 and a record low of 24,623.000 Person in 2009. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Male: Oth Reasons data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex: Annual.

In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, the United States was one of the main destinations for Italian emigrants. The largest number of people leaving Italy for the U.S. was registered in **********************************************, particularly in ****, before a sharp decline occurred in 1914 due to the First World War.Nowadays, the U.S. is still one of the main destinations for Italians. More specifically, as of January 2021, *** percent of all Italians moving abroad over the last year went to the United States.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Islands: Sardegna data was reported at 2,920.000 Person in Dec 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 3,619.000 Person for Nov 2017. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Islands: Sardegna data is updated monthly, averaging 3,200.500 Person from Jan 2003 (Median) to Dec 2017, with 180 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 24,017.000 Person in Dec 2013 and a record low of 2,177.000 Person in Aug 2003. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Islands: Sardegna data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G005: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex.

Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Lazio data was reported at 10,681.000 Person in Jun 2018. This records a decrease from the previous number of 13,529.000 Person for May 2018. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Lazio data is updated monthly, averaging 13,948.000 Person from Jan 2003 (Median) to Jun 2018, with 186 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 352,399.000 Person in Dec 2013 and a record low of 7,804.000 Person in Aug 2006. Italy Vital Statistics: Immigration: Center: Lazio data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G004: Vital Statistics: By Region and Sex.