Italian university enrollment and labor trends

The Italian higher education system has experienced significant growth, with total enrollments reaching a record 2.05 million students for the 2024/2025 academic year. This represents a 16.9% increase since 2018/2019, a trend partially driven by the rise of online universities, which now comprise approximately 18% of total enrollments.

Within this broader trend, specific fields have seen rapid expansion. Psychology degree enrollments in Italy grew by 90% over a ten-year period, rising from roughly 18,000 to over 34,000 first-year students. Experts suggest this interest may stem from the increasing role of technology in daily life and a heightened need for mental health care.

Despite rising enrollment numbers, the system faces challenges regarding graduation rates and labor market alignment. Only 56% of students graduate within six years, and Italy’s degree attainment for those aged 25 to 34 remains below the OECD average. Furthermore, a mismatch exists between academic training and employment needs. In the Veneto region, for example, while many companies struggle to find specialized profiles, a low percentage of planned hires specifically require a university degree.