Catholic schools in Italy see major enrollment and facility decline

A report by the Center for Research on Catholic Schools (CSSC), titled ‘Un curricolo per la vita’, reveals a significant decline in the Italian Catholic education system over the last 15 years.

Between the 2010-2011 school year and 2026, the number of Catholic schools in Italy fell from 9,371 to 7,345, representing an average closure of 135 institutions per year. Student enrollment saw an even sharper decline, dropping from 740,636 to 498,863—a loss of approximately 241,773 students, or 32.6% of the total.

The impact varied by educational level: preschools experienced the largest decline at 41.2%, while high schools saw the smallest decrease at 12.8%. The report also notes a pedagogical shift in these institutions, moving from a focus on pure knowledge toward a holistic approach emphasizing soft skills and non-cognitive abilities, integrated with Christian principles.