Italy sees steep drop in artisan workforce and regional labor pool

A study by the CGIL in Grosseto shows that the province of Grosseto in Tuscany has lost 11,364 workers of working age between 2012 and 2025, reducing the 15‑64 population from 142,181 to 130,817. The decline has led to fewer employees for local firms, falling school enrollments, and a growing share of residents over 65, creating pressure on local welfare systems.

Nationally, data from ISNEC and Withub indicate that Italy’s artisan sector has shed about 330,000 workers from 2016 to 2025, a 20.7% drop in INPS‑registered artisans, while active artisan firms fell by 5.9%. The sharpest losses are in the Marche region and other provinces such as Ascoli Piceno, Cagliari, Milan and Bari. The contraction threatens the country’s traditional craft heritage and the economic vitality of affected territories.