Labor and demographic trends in Bari province

Recent data highlights significant labor and demographic challenges in the province of Bari within the Puglia region. Reports from Inail indicate that Bari recorded the highest number of workplace injuries in Puglia during the first eight months of 2026, with 6,968 cases. This figure represents a 4.95% increase from the previous year, driven in part by a 10.03% rise in commuting accidents and a 10.89% increase in injuries among female workers.

Labor unions have raised concerns regarding safety and economic stability, noting high levels of labor inactivity and a significant portion of the workforce classified as ‘working poor’.

Complementary demographic data shows that Bari hosts the largest foreign resident population in Puglia, totaling 49,111 individuals. While foreign residents maintain slightly higher labor market participation and employment rates than Italian citizens, there are notable disparities in job types. Approximately 50.8% of foreign workers in Puglia are employed in manual, unskilled positions, a rate nearly five times higher than that of Italian workers.