# Italian university enrollment and labor trends > Developing situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/italian-university-enrollment-and-labor-trends > Updated: 2026-10-30T12:11:08.000Z. Sources: 3. Developments: 2. 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. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-30: Italian universities see record enrollment amid skills gap Italian university enrollments have hit a record 2.05 million, yet a gap persists between graduation rates and labor market demands, particularly in regions like Veneto. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italian-universities-see-record-enrollment-amid-skills-gap ### 2026-10-10: Italy sees 90% rise in psychology student enrollments over ten years Psychology enrollments in Italy have surged by 90% in ten years, driven by a growing interest in mental health amidst technological advancement and the rise of AI. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-sees-90-rise-in-psychology-student-enrollments-over-ten-years --- Cite as: Italian university enrollment and labor trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/italian-university-enrollment-and-labor-trends