Italy Immigration Dossier 2026: Key findings on demographics and labor

immigration statistics labor market demographics GDP contribution IDOS Dossier

The 2026 Immigration Statistical Dossier, produced by IDOS in collaboration with various research institutes, provides a comprehensive overview of the migratory landscape in Italy. Nationally, approximately 5.6 million foreign citizens reside in Italy, representing 9.4% of the total population. Immigrant workers contribute 9.7% to the national GDP, generating 196 billion euros in added value.

Regional data highlights significant demographic shifts. In Puglia, the foreign resident population grew by 6.9% to 165,797, while in Calabria, the population reached 110,463, a 4.8% increase. In Valle d’Aosta, foreign residents account for 7.5% of the population. In Alto Adige, the figure is higher at 11.1%.

The report identifies persistent economic challenges, including occupational segregation and wage gaps. In Tuscany, the unemployment rate for immigrants is 8.4%, more than double that of Italian citizens. Many foreign workers remain concentrated in low-skilled sectors such as agriculture, construction, and domestic work. Additionally, the dossier notes a decline in forced migration globally, attributed largely to returns to countries of origin, though social barriers regarding housing, education, and legal status remain significant obstacles within Italy.

Entities

Caritas Italiana · Fondazione Migrantes · Idos · Italy · Puglia

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[○ 1 SOURCE] In Alto Adige, foreign residents make up 11.1% of the population. salto.bz
[○ 1 SOURCE] The unemployment rate for immigrants in Tuscany is 8.4%, more than double the rate for Italians. www.controradio.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] Immigrant workers contribute 9.7% to Italy's national GDP. esarcato-apostolico-ucraino.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Calabria, the foreign resident population grew by 4.8% to 110,463 by the end of 2025. www.cosenzapost.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] The average annual income for a foreign citizen is 17,000 euros, compared to 27,000 euros for Italian citizens. esarcato-apostolico-ucraino.it
[● 2 SOURCES] As of January 1, 2026, nearly 5.6 million foreign citizens reside in Italy. esarcato-apostolico-ucraino.it · www.nigrizia.it
[○ 1 SOURCE] In Puglia, the foreign resident population increased by 6.9% to 165,797 people by the end of 2025. www.borderline24.com
[○ 1 SOURCE] Global forced migrants decreased by 4.3% in 2025 to 117.8 million. www.ilcittadinodimessina.it