Italy has traditionally been a country of emigration, with large numbers of Italy’s youth still leaving to seek opportunities elsewhere. The importance of immigration has grown alongside the increasing number of people arriving in Italy, as have negative narratives amplified by nationalist and right-wing political parties. However, Italy’s ageing population and low birth rate mean there is a growing need for immigrants in the workforce, including to fill gaps in the elder care system which is already extremely reliant on migrant care workers.

Migration trends

Historically Italy has witnessed large-scale emigration, particularly to the US. Following the Second World War, this changed when Italy experienced significant immigration during its ‘economic boom’ years. While immigration from the EU has been important, immigrants are increasingly coming from elsewhere. High levels of emigration are also still a reality, as young, highly skilled Italians often leave the country in search of work opportunities.

This data shows annual immigration, emigration and net migration figures. Source: Istituto Nazionale di Statistica (2020) 'Immigration Statistics'

Salience

Immigration became the second-most important issue in Italy between 2015 and 2017, during the time when sea arrivals to Italy were high and immigration was increasingly visible. Since the peak in 2016, public concern has fallen, in line with much of Europe

This shows the percentage of people who see immigration as one of the two most important issues facing the country today. Source: Eurobarometer (n.d.) 'Standard Eurobarometer'. Brussels: European Commission. Data shown is taken from Autumn surveys, with the Autumn surveys of 2020/21, 2021/22 and 2022/23 shifting to Winter 2020/21, Winter 2021/22 and Winter 2022/23 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Perceptions

In Italy more of the population see immigration as a problem (26%) than an opporunity (22%), according to survey data from 2021. However, a major shift is notable in this area since 2017, with a very large decline in the share classfying immigration as problematic and a large increase in more positive perceptions in this area.

This shows the percentage of people that think immigration from outside the EU is more of a problem than an opportunity, or more of an opportunity than a problem, or equally a problem and an opportunity. Source: European Commission (2018) 'Special Eurobarometer 469. Integration of immigrants in the European Union'; European Commission (2022) 'Special Eurobarometer 519. Integration of immigrants in the European Union'

Attitudes

Present-day attitudes towards immigrants are increasingly positive, despite Italians holding the most hostile views about immigrants in Europe in 2017. A majority were concerned about the impact of immigration on public services and only 15% believed immigration was good for Italy’s economy. In 2022, 43% believed that immigration makes Italy a worse place to live, a decline on the 60% recorded in 2016.

This shows how people have answered the question 'Do immigrants make Italy a worse or a better place to live.' Those scoring 0-4 are classified as holding 'negative' views, those scoring 5 as 'indecisive' and those scoring 6-10 as holding 'positive' views. Due to non-inclusion of Italy in some survey rounds, there is a gap in data between 2004 and 2012 and data from 2014 is also missing. Source: European Social Survey (n.d.) 'Italy.' Electronic Dataset Survey postponed in 2020 due to Covid-19 pandemic.

Sea and land arrivals

Due to its geographic position Italy has received large numbers of people arriving by sea from North Africa and the Middle East. Sea arrivals to Italy peaked in 2016 at more than 180,000. This decreased substantially in 2018 and 2019 but have been on the rise again in 2021.

This shows the number of immigrants arriving in Italy by sea. Source: UNHCR (n.d.) Operational data portal. Mediterranean situation: Italy