The recent report by Confindustria’s Research Center, “Unveiling Italy’s Economic Potential”, was successfully presented to major international rating agencies in Frankfurt and London. This in-depth statistical analysis, supported by graphs and tables, highlights the strengths of the Italian economy and the progress made in recent years despite the challenges posed by the global pandemic and geopolitical instability.
Key findings include a 44% increase in foreign direct investment between 2015 and 2023, a 45% growth in exports, and an average annual GDP growth rate of 1% from 2018 to 2023. Productive investments rose by 17.8% between 2019 and 2024. Additionally, the activity rate increased by 3.7 percentage points, and the employment rate improved by 5.4 percentage points over the same period.
Italian businesses have also strengthened their financial foundations: from 2007 to 2022, corporate capital grew by 12.7%, while bank debt decreased by 6.3%. On the environmental front, Italy boasts one of the lowest CO₂ emission rates per capita among G20 countries, at just 0.12 kg.
Moreover, Italy has demonstrated sound fiscal management, with public debt rising by only 1.2 percentage points despite the impact of the pandemic and the war in Ukraine—an indicator of stronger financial discipline compared to many other advanced economies.
Through this research, Confindustria presents a favorable outlook for the Italian business environment, emphasizing the role of Italian companies in driving competitiveness, attracting international investment, and promoting innovation and research.
Please click here for the full report.
