Italy faces decline in artisanal businesses and manual trades

Italy is facing a significant decline in artisanal businesses and manual trades, a trend impacting local identities in areas such as the Castelli Romani. Data from the CGIA di Mestre indicates that the number of active artisanal enterprises has fallen to approximately 1.22 million in 2025, down from a peak in 2008. Furthermore, the number of artisans has dropped by 25.1 percent over the last decade, decreasing from 1.7 million in 2015 to just under 1.3 million.

The CNA (Confederazione Nazionale dell'Artigianato e della Piccola e Media Impresa) attributes this crisis to several factors, including competition from e-commerce and large shopping centers, rising fixed costs, high rents, and demographic decline. A lack of generational turnover is also cited as a major hurdle.

Additionally, the CNA highlights the burden of excessive bureaucracy, estimating that businesses spend over 300 hours annually—roughly two months of work—managing paperwork and complying with regulations from 22 different public authorities. Representatives are calling for a reform of the 1985 framework law on craftsmanship to better reflect modern market and technological realities.