Italy business trends show decentralized growth and digital sector expansion

A study by CNA reveals the distribution of entrepreneurial propensity across Italy, highlighting a decentralized economic model driven by small businesses and industrial districts. Prato leads the national ranking for the number of businesses per thousand inhabitants, followed by Milano and Rimini. The data shows that while 14 metropolitan cities host 38.1% of businesses and 43.3% of employees, much of the country's productive fabric operates in intermediate cities and smaller territories, particularly in the Center-North.

Regional trends show significant growth in digital craftsmanship. In the province of Vicenza, digital enterprises increased by 19.3% between 2020 and 2025. Similarly, the Reggio Emilia province is experiencing a boom in digital services, with 943 active companies as of early 2026. However, this growth faces a critical bottleneck: a shortage of specialized personnel. In Reggio Emilia, 54.6% of companies reported difficulty finding qualified staff to meet the high demand for digital skills.

In the Macerata province, the entrepreneurial spirit remains strong, with Macerata ranking ninth nationally for business density. This reflects a deeply rooted economic structure where small-scale enterprises maintain professional services even in smaller, internal areas.