# Reggio Emilia regional economy and demographic trends > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/reggio-emilia-regional-economy > Updated: 2026-08-10T09:11:02.000Z. Sources: 10. Developments: 3. In 2025, the province’s cultural and creative sector generated €1.26 billion in value added, accounting for 5.7% of total provincial wealth. Growth was driven by video games and software (+17%) and architecture-design (+6.8%), while performing and visual arts saw a sharp 16.7% decline. By the second quarter of 2026, the economic landscape showed specific demographic shifts. Female-owned enterprises remained relatively stable at 8,971 units (19.1% of all active firms), representing a marginal 0.2% decline that outperformed both regional and national averages. Within this group, business services grew by 3.0%, alongside increases in personal services (2.4%) and construction (1.9%). Conversely, commerce, agriculture, manufacturing, and accommodation & catering experienced contractions. Additionally, youth-led businesses (under 35) showed significant resilience in Reggio Emilia. As of late June 2026, these enterprises grew by 1.9% to reach 3,728 units, accounting for 7.9% of the local economy. This growth rate notably outpaced the overall provincial business growth of 0.2%. The expansion in youth entrepreneurship was most pronounced in business services, which rose by 10.8%, followed by accommodation and catering (+4.4%) and personal services (+2.6%). In contrast, youth-led agriculture, manufacturing, and commerce sectors saw declines. ## Claims - Female enterprises in Reggio Emilia numbered 8,971 in Q2 2026, representing 19.1% of total enterprises. (corroborated by 3 sources) - The number of female enterprises changed by -0.2% versus the previous quarter, outperforming regional (-1.2%) and national (-1.0%) declines. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Business services had the highest count of female firms at 2,093. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Female business services grew 3.0% (60 units) compared to the same period in 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Female commerce fell 3.3% (69 units) compared to 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Sole proprietorships remained the dominant legal form with 5,870 units (65.4% of total), down 0.3% from 2025. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Female-led capital companies increased 0.9% to 1,871 units. (corroborated by 3 sources) - Women held 35,579 positions in Reggio Emilia firms, with 10,822 (30.4%) in business services. (corroborated by 3 sources) ## Timeline ### 2026-08-10: Youth-led businesses grow in Reggio Emilia and Parma Youth-led businesses under age 35 are growing in the Italian provinces of Reggio Emilia and Parma, driven largely by expansion in the business services sector despite declines in manufacturing and agriculture. 7 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/youth-led-businesses-grow-in-reggio-emilia-and-parma ### 2026-08-05: Female-owned businesses in Reggio Emilia remain largely stable in Q2 2026 Female-owned firms in Reggio Emilia held steady at 8,971 in Q2 2026 (‑0.2%), outpacing regional and national declines. Business services led with 2,093 firms and grew 3%, while commerce fell 3.3%. Women hold 35 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/female-owned-businesses-in-reggio-emilia-remain-largely-stable-in-q2-2026 ### 2026-07-23: Reggio Emilia cultural sector adds €1.26 billion in 2025, led by video games Reggio Emilia’s cultural economy generated €1.26 billion in 2025, a 4% rise, with video games leading (+17%) while publishing and performing arts fell sharply. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/reggio-emilia-cultural-sector-adds-126-billion-in-2025-led-by-video-games --- Cite as: Reggio Emilia regional economy and demographic trends. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/reggio-emilia-regional-economy