World · permanent entity record · IT

Italy

Thirty-second orientation

Italy at a glance

Capital: Rome; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Population: 58,915,656; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025
Area: 301,340 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Nationality / demonym: noun: Italian(s); adjective: Italian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area), Croatian (in Molise); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04

Independently structured milestones · not a complete national history

Italy through time

1955-12-14
Admitted to the United Nations
Italy became a member of the United Nations.
United Nations, Member States · source checked 2026-09-04

Source history · changed fields only

Changes since the final CIA profile

Field	Maintained Almanac value	Final CIA profile
Population	58,915,656World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025	total: 60,924,851 (2025 est.) male: 29,383,949 female: 31,540,902CIA World Factbook · as of 2026-01-20

A difference may reflect a newer observation, a revised estimate, or a different source definition. This table reports the values and dates; it does not manufacture a trend.

World Development Indicators · latest available observation

People, economy, and access

Observation years vary by measure. Each row identifies the series and year instead of presenting unlike dates as one current snapshot.

Gross domestic product: $2.55 trillion; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.MKTP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Gross domestic product per person: $43,309; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator NY.GDP.PCAP.CD. Underlying providers: National statistical authorities, central banks, OECD national accounts, and World Bank staff estimates. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Life expectancy at birth: 84.0 years; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator SP.DYN.LE00.IN. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Urban population: 69.7%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS · observation year 2025 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.URB.TOTL.IN.ZS. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, World Urbanization Prospects. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Access to electricity: 100.0%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator EG.ELC.ACCS.ZS. Underlying providers: World Bank ESMAP, Tracking SDG 7. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
People using the internet: 89.2%; World Bank, World Development Indicators · indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS · observation year 2024 · dataset updated 2026-07-13World Development Indicators observation for 2024; indicator IT.NET.USER.ZS. Underlying providers: International Telecommunication Union. Source footnote: Source and notes: Italian National Institute of Statistics, Retrieved 2026-09-08.

World Development Indicators data are provided under Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0). The linked indicator metadata identifies the underlying statistical providers.

Maintained profile

Capital: Rome; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The nation set and displayed federal short name follow the current State Department independent-states register, dated August 11, 2026.
Area: 301,340 sq km; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Final CIA source data preserved by a community mirror after the Factbook was retired; the mirror is not the issuing authority.
Population: 58,915,656; World Bank, World Development Indicators · observation year 2025World Development Indicators observation for 2025; indicator SP.POP.TOTL. Underlying providers: UN Population Division, national statistical offices, and Eurostat. Source footnote: Extrapolated assuming the same growth rate as previous 6 months. Retrieved 2026-09-08.
Currency: euros (EUR); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Currency label extracted from the Factbook exchange-rate field.
Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area), Croatian (in Molise); CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04Factbook language listing reproduced without inferring official status beyond the source wording.
Nationality / demonym: noun: Italian(s); adjective: Italian; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04The source’s noun and adjective forms are retained. These are language labels, not evidence of any individual person’s citizenship.
Government: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook final dataset, preserved by factbook.json · as of 2026-02-04
UN membership: 1955-12-14; United Nations, Member States · as of 2026-09-04
Continent: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Continental label standardized from the archived profile region “Europe.”
Coastline: 7,600 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Religions: Christian 80.8% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9%, unaffiliated 13.4%, other 0.9% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Flag colors: green, white, red; CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Colors extracted from the flag description in the preserved final CIA profile.
National symbol: five-pointed white star (Stella d'Italia); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) · 15,577 ft (4,748 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
Lowest point: Mediterranean Sea · 0 ft (0 m); CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · as of 2026-01-20Preserved final CIA profile; this field is a historical baseline, not a claim of current conditions.
NATO membership: Member; NATO, What is NATO? · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.
BRICS membership: Not a member; BRICS Brazil, About the BRICS · as of 2026-09-06Membership status is reported from the organization's current member list as of the stated date.

Preserved public-domain record · not maintained current data

Final CIA World Factbook profile

This is the preserved historical baseline from the Factbook’s final public snapshot. It is presented as the CIA stated it, not as a current Standard American Almanac finding. Current, independently maintained facts appear above when available.

CIA World Factbook historical record · final public snapshot · profile updated 2026-01-20 · pinned source record · commit d81154954b8b

Introduction1 fields

Background: Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946, and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO, as well as the European Economic Community (EEC) and its successors, the EC and the EU. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Geography18 fields

Location: Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geographic coordinates: 42 50 N, 12 50 E; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Map references: Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area: total : 301,340 sq km land: 294,140 sq km water: 7,200 sq km note: includes Sardinia and Sicily; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Area - comparative: almost twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land boundaries: total: 1,836.4 km border countries (6): Austria 404 km; France 476 km; Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km; San Marino 37 km; Slovenia 218 km; Switzerland 698 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coastline: 7,600 km; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maritime claims: territorial sea: 12 nm continental shelf: 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Terrain: mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Elevation: highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc) 4,748 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m mean elevation: 538 m; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural resources: coal, antimony, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 24% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 12.2% (2023 est.) forest: 31.8% (2023 est.) other: 24% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Irrigated land: 24,460 sq km (2021); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major watersheds (area sq km): Atlantic Ocean drainage: Rhine-Maas (198,735 sq km), (Black Sea) Danube (795,656 sq km), (Adriatic Sea) Po (76,997 sq km), (Mediterranean Sea) Rhone (100,543 sq km); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples) attracting larger and denser populations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural hazards: regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice volcanism: significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m) is Europe's most active volcano, and its flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geography - note: strategic location dominating central Mediterranean, as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

People and Society34 fields

Population: total: 60,924,851 (2025 est.) male: 29,383,949 female: 31,540,902; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nationality: noun: Italian(s) adjective: Italian; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ethnic groups: Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north, Albanian-Italians, Croat-Italians, and Greek-Italians in the south); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Languages: Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German-speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area), Croatian (in Molise) major-language sample(s): L'Almanacco dei fatti del mondo, l'indispensabile fonte per le informazioni di base. (Italian) The World Factbook, the indispensable source for basic information.; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Religions: Christian 80.8% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim 4.9%, unaffiliated 13.4%, other 0.9% (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Age structure: 0-14 years: 11.9% (male 3,699,167/female 3,531,734) 15-64 years: 64.5% (male 19,378,160/female 19,958,137) 65 years and over: 23.6% (2024 est.) (male 6,336,738/female 8,060,995); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Dependency ratios: total dependency ratio: 55.3 (2025 est.) youth dependency ratio: 18.1 (2025 est.) elderly dependency ratio: 37.2 (2025 est.) potential support ratio: 2.7 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Median age: total: 48.8 years (2025 est.) male: 47.4 years female: 49.4 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population growth rate: -0.05% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Birth rate: 7.13 births/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Death rate: 11.2 deaths/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Net migration rate: 3.55 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population distribution: a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples) attracting larger and denser populations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 72% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Major urban areas - population: 4.316 million ROME (capital), 3.155 million Milan, 2.179 million Naples, 1.802 million Turin, 913,000 Bergamo, 850,000 Palermo (2023); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sex ratio: at birth: 1.06 male(s)/female 0-14 years: 1.05 male(s)/female 15-64 years: 0.97 male(s)/female 65 years and over: 0.79 male(s)/female total population: 0.93 male(s)/female (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Mother's mean age at first birth: 31.4 years (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Maternal mortality ratio: 6 deaths/100,000 live births (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Infant mortality rate: total: 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2025 est.) male: 3.2 deaths/1,000 live births female: 2.9 deaths/1,000 live births; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Life expectancy at birth: total population: 83 years (2024 est.) male: 80.7 years female: 85.5 years; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total fertility rate: 1.27 children born/woman (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gross reproduction rate: 0.62 (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Drinking water source: total: 99.9% of population (2022 est.) total: 0.1% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Health expenditure: 9% of GDP (2022) 11.8% of national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Physician density: 4.19 physicians/1,000 population (2022); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Hospital bed density: 3.2 beds/1,000 population (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Sanitation facility access: urban: 100% of population (2022 est.) rural: 100% of population (2022 est.) total: 100% of population (2022 est.) urban: 0% of population (2022 est.) rural: 0% of population (2022 est.) total: 0% of population (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Obesity - adult prevalence rate: 19.9% (2016); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Alcohol consumption per capita: total: 7.65 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) beer: 1.99 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) wine: 4.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) spirits: 0.83 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.) other alcohols: 0 liters of pure alcohol (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Tobacco use: total: 19.8% (2025 est.) male: 23.2% (2025 est.) female: 16.6% (2025 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Currently married women (ages 15-49): 51.8% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Education expenditure: 4.1% of GDP (2022 est.) 7.4% national budget (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Literacy: total population: 99.3% (2019 est.) male: 99.5% (2019 est.) female: 99.2% (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education): total: 17 years (2023 est.) male: 16 years (2023 est.) female: 17 years (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Environment12 fields

Environmental issues: air pollution from industrial emissions; water pollution from industrial and agricultural effluents, as well as acid rain; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International environmental agreements: party to: Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulphur 85, Air Pollution-Sulphur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protection, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Climate Change-Paris Agreement, Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping-London Convention, Marine Dumping-London Protocol, Nuclear Test Ban, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 2006, Wetlands, Whaling signed, but not ratified: Air Pollution-Heavy Metals, Air Pollution-Multi-effect Protocol; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Climate: predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Land use: agricultural land: 44.3% (2023 est.) arable land: 24% (2023 est.) permanent crops: 8.1% (2023 est.) permanent pasture: 12.2% (2023 est.) forest: 31.8% (2023 est.) other: 24% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Urbanization: urban population: 72% of total population (2023) rate of urbanization: 0.27% annual rate of change (2020-25 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Carbon dioxide emissions: 307.442 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from coal and metallurgical coke: 26.15 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from petroleum and other liquids: 162.688 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.) from consumed natural gas: 118.604 million metric tonnes of CO2 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Particulate matter emissions: 12.3 micrograms per cubic meter (2019 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Methane emissions: energy: 276.4 kt (2022-2024 est.) agriculture: 764.9 kt (2019-2021 est.) waste: 523.4 kt (2019-2021 est.) other: 35.3 kt (2019-2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Waste and recycling: municipal solid waste generated annually: 30.088 million tons (2024 est.) percent of municipal solid waste recycled: 39.9% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total water withdrawal: municipal: 9.148 billion cubic meters (2022) industrial: 7.7 billion cubic meters (2022 est.) agricultural: 17 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Total renewable water resources: 191.3 billion cubic meters (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Geoparks: total global geoparks and regional networks: 12 (2025) global geoparks and regional networks: Adamello-Brenta; Alpi Apuane; Aspromonte; Beigua; Cilento, Vallo di Diano e Alburni; Madonie; Maiella; MurGEopark; Pollino; Rocca di Cerere; Sesia Val Grande; Tuscan Mining Park (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Government26 fields

Country name: conventional long form: Italian Republic conventional short form: Italy local long form: Repubblica Italiana local short form: Italia former: Kingdom of Italy etymology: derivation is unclear; traditionally said to come from the Vitali, a tribe that settled in what is now Calabria, and whose name is believed to be linked to the Latin word vitulus, or "calf;" alternatively, the name may derive from a local ruler known to the Romans as Italus; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Government type: parliamentary republic; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Capital: name: Rome geographic coordinates: 41 54 N, 12 29 E time difference: UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) daylight saving time: +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October etymology: by tradition, named after Romulus, one of the legendary founders of the city, but the name Romulus may instead derive from the city's name; the name Rome may come from an Etruscan name for the Tiber River, which was Roma or Ruma; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Administrative divisions: 15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma) regions: Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto autonomous regions: Friuli Venezia Giulia, Sardegna (Sardinia), Sicilia (Sicily), Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German), Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallée d'Aoste (French); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legal system: civil law system; Constitutional Court reviews legislation under certain conditions; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Constitution: history: previous 1848 (originally for the Kingdom of Sardinia and adopted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1861); latest enacted 22 December 1947, adopted 27 December 1947, entered into force 1 January 1948 amendment process: proposed by both houses of Parliament; passage requires two successive debates and approval by absolute majority of each house on the second vote; a referendum is only required when requested by one fifth of the members of either house, by voter petition, or by 5 Regional Councils (elected legislative assemblies of the 15 first-level administrative regions and 5 autonomous regions of Italy); referendum not required if an amendment has been approved by a two-thirds majority in each house in the second vote; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International law organization participation: accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Citizenship: citizenship by birth: no citizenship by descent only: at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy dual citizenship recognized: yes residency requirement for naturalization: 4 years for EU nationals, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, 10 years for all others; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Suffrage: 18 years of age; universal except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Executive branch: chief of state: President Sergio MATTARELLA (since 3 February 2015) head of government: Prime Minister Giorgia MELONI (since 22 October 2022); the prime minister's official title is President of the Council of Ministers cabinet: Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, who is known officially as the President of the Council of Ministers and locally as the premier; nominated by the president election/appointment process: president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a 7-year term (no term limits); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by parliament most recent election date: 24-29 January 2022 (eight rounds) election results: 2022: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) reelected president; electoral college vote count in eighth round - 759 out of 1,009 (505 vote threshold) 2015: Sergio MATTARELLA (independent) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 995 (505 vote threshold) expected date of next election: 2029; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch: legislature name: Parliament (Il Parlamento) legislative structure: bicameral; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - lower chamber: chamber name: Chamber of Deputies (Camera dei Deputati) number of seats: 400 (all directly elected) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/25/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Coalition Brothers of Italy (FdI) - Lega - Forza Italia - Us Moderates (Noi moderati, NM) (237); Democratic Party - Democratic and Progressive Italy (PD-IDP) - Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) - +EUROPA" - Civic Commitment (IC) (84); Five Star Movement (M5s) (52); Action - Italia Viva (21); Other (6) percentage of women in chamber: 32.8% expected date of next election: September 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Legislative branch - upper chamber: chamber name: Senate (Senato della Repubblica) number of seats: 205 (200 directly elected; 5 appointed) electoral system: mixed system scope of elections: full renewal term in office: 5 years most recent election date: 9/25/2022 parties elected and seats per party: Coalition Brothers of Italy (FdI) - Lega - Forza Italia - Us Moderates (Noi moderati, NM) (115); Democratic Party - Democratic and Progressive Italy (PD-IDP) - Greens and Left Alliance (AVS) - +EUROPA" - Civic Commitment (IC) (44); Five Star Movement (M5s) (28); Other (13) percentage of women in chamber: 36.3% expected date of next election: September 2027; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Judicial branch: highest court(s): Supreme Court of Cassation or Corte Suprema di Cassazione (consists of the first president, deputy president, 54 justices presiding over 6 civil and 7 criminal divisions, and 288 judges; an additional 30 judges of lower courts serve as supporting judges; cases normally heard by 5-judge panels; more complex cases heard by 9-judge panels); Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (consists of the court president and 14 judges) judge selection and term of office: Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of the Judiciary, headed by the president of the republic; judges may serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 5 appointed by the president, 5 elected by Parliament, 5 elected by select higher courts; judges serve up to 9 years subordinate courts: various lower civil and criminal courts (primary and secondary tribunals and courts of appeal); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Political parties: Action-Italia Viva Associative Movement of Italians Abroad or MAIE Brothers of Italy or FdI Democratic Party or PD Five Star Movement or M5S Forza Italia or FI Free and Equal (Liberi e Uguali) or LeU Greens and Left Alliance or AVS League or Lega More Europe or +EU South calls North or ScN South Tyrolean Peoples Party or SVP Us Moderates or NM other minor parties; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation in the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Marco PERONACI (since 5 September 2025) chancery: 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 telephone: [1] (202) 612-4400 FAX: [1] (202) 518-2154 email address and website: washington.ambasciata@esteri.it https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/ambasciata_washington/en/ consulate(s) general: Boston, Chicago, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco consulate(s): Detroit; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Diplomatic representation from the US: chief of mission: Ambassador Tilman J. FERTITTA (since 6 May 2025); note - also accredited to San Marino embassy: via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187 Roma mailing address: 9500 Rome Place, Washington DC 20521-9500 telephone: [39] 06-46741 FAX: [39] 06-4674-2244 email address and website: uscitizenrome@state.gov https://it.usembassy.gov/ consulate(s) general: Florence, Milan, Naples; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
International organization participation: ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNOOSA, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, Wassenaar Arrangement, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Independence: 17 March 1861 note: the Kingdom of Italy proclaimed on 17 March 1861, but Italy was not fully unified until 1871; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National holiday: Republic Day, 2 June (1946); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Flag: description: three equal vertical bands of green (left side), white, and red meaning: colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard history: design inspired by the French flag that Napoleon brought to Italy in 1797 note: similar to the flags of Mexico (longer, darker shades of green and red, and has its coat of arms centered on the white band), Ireland (longer and with orange instead of red), and Cote d'Ivoire (colors reversed); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National symbol(s): five-pointed white star (Stella d'Italia); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National color(s): red, white, green; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National coat of arms: this coat of arms has been a symbol of the Italian Republic since May 5, 1948, when Paolo Paschetto’s design won a two-year public competition; the olive branch symbolizes national and global peace; the oak branch stands for the strength and the dignity of the Italian people, and the steel cog-wheel for their hard work; the single star represents Italy’s solidarity; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National anthem(s): title: "Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians) lyrics/music: Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO history: adopted 2005; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli d'Italia" (Brothers of Italy); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
National heritage: total World Heritage Sites: 61 (55 cultural, 6 natural) selected World Heritage Site locales: Historic Center of Rome (c); Archaeological Areas of Pompeii, Herculaneum, and Torre Annunziata (c); Venice and its Lagoon (c); Historic Center of Florence (c); Piazza del Duomo, Pisa (c); Historic Centre of Naples (c); Portovenere, Cinque Terre, and the Islands (Palmaria, Tino and Tinetto)(c); Mount Etna (n); Cultural landscape of the Benedictine settlements in medieval Italy (c); Church and Dominican Convent of Santa Maria delle Grazie with “The Last Supper” by Leonardo da Vinci (c); City of Vicenza and the Palladian Villas of the Veneto (c); Crespi d'Adda (c); Early Christian Monuments of Ravenna (c); Historic Centre of the City of Pienza (c); Cathedral, Torre Civica and Piazza Grande, Modena (c); Costiera Amalfitana (c); Villa Romana del Casale (c); Archaeological Area and the Patriarchal Basilica of Aquileia (c); Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park with the Archeological Sites of Paestum and Velia, and the Certosa di Padula (c); Historic Centre of Urbino (c); Villa Adriana (Tivoli) (c); Assisi, the Basilica of San Francesco and Other Franciscan Sites (c); City of Verona (c); Isole Eolie (Aeolian Islands) (n); Etruscan Necropolises of Cerveteri and Tarquinia (c); Val d'Orcia (c); Mantua and Sabbioneta (c); The Dolomites (n); Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps (c); Medici Villas and Gardens in Tuscany (c); Venetian Works of Defence between the 16th and 17th Centuries: Stato da Terra – Western Stato da Mar (c); Padua’s fourteenth-century fresco cycles (c); The Porticoes of Bologna (c); Evaporitic Karst and Caves of Northern Apennines (n); Via Appia: Regina Viarum (c); Funerary Tradition in the Prehistory of Sardinia – The domus de janas (c); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Economy31 fields

Economic overview: high-income, core EU economy; strong services, manufacturing, and tourism sectors; modest growth supported by net exports, low inflation, and public investments via EU funds; tight labor market with aging workforce and shortages in specialized skills; high public debt levels; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP (purchasing power parity): $3.133 trillion (2024 est.) $3.11 trillion (2023 est.) $3.088 trillion (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP growth rate: 0.7% (2024 est.) 0.7% (2023 est.) 4.8% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Real GDP per capita: $53,100 (2024 est.) $52,700 (2023 est.) $52,300 (2022 est.) note: data in 2021 dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP (official exchange rate): $2.373 trillion (2024 est.) note: data in current dollars at official exchange rate; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Inflation rate (consumer prices): 1% (2024 est.) 5.6% (2023 est.) 8.2% (2022 est.) note: annual % change based on consumer prices; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by sector of origin: agriculture: 2% (2024 est.) industry: 21.7% (2024 est.) services: 65.6% (2024 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to non-allocated consumption not captured in sector-reported data; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
GDP - composition, by end use: household consumption: 58.3% (2023 est.) government consumption: 17.8% (2023 est.) investment in fixed capital: 22.5% (2023 est.) investment in inventories: 0.4% (2023 est.) exports of goods and services: 33.5% (2023 est.) imports of goods and services: -32.1% (2023 est.) note: figures may not total 100% due to rounding or gaps in data collection; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Agricultural products: milk, wheat, grapes, tomatoes, maize, olives, apples, oranges, sugar beets, rice (2023) note: top ten agricultural products based on tonnage; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industries: tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Industrial production growth rate: 0.2% (2024 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Labor force: 25.828 million (2024 est.) note: number of people ages 15 or older who are employed or seeking work; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Unemployment rate: 6.8% (2024 est.) 7.7% (2023 est.) 8.1% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Youth unemployment rate (ages 15-24): total: 21.8% (2024 est.) male: 19.9% (2024 est.) female: 24.8% (2024 est.) note: % of labor force ages 15-24 seeking employment; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Population below poverty line: 20.1% (2021 est.) note: % of population with income below national poverty line; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Gini Index coefficient - distribution of family income: 33.7 (2022 est.) note: index (0-100) of income distribution; higher values represent greater inequality; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Average household expenditures: on food: 14.7% of household expenditures (2023 est.) on alcohol and tobacco: 3.8% of household expenditures (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Household income or consumption by percentage share: lowest 10%: 2.5% (2022 est.) highest 10%: 25.3% (2022 est.) note: % share of income accruing to lowest and highest 10% of population; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Remittances: 0.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 0.5% of GDP (2022 est.) note: personal transfers and compensation between resident and non-resident individuals/households/entities; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Budget: revenues: $935.038 billion (2023 est.) expenditures: $1.104 trillion (2023 est.) note: central government revenues (excluding grants) and expenditures converted to US dollars at average official exchange rate for year indicated; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Public debt: 131.8% of GDP (2017 est.) note: Italy reports its data on public debt according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty; general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year, in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises central, state, and local government and social security funds; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Taxes and other revenues: 24.8% (of GDP) (2023 est.) note: central government tax revenue as a % of GDP; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Current account balance: $26.76 billion (2024 est.) $3.261 billion (2023 est.) -$36.325 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - net trade and primary/secondary income in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports: $778.898 billion (2024 est.) $774.311 billion (2023 est.) $737.083 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - partners: Germany 11%, USA 11%, France 10%, Spain 5%, UK 5% (2023) note: top five export partners based on percentage share of exports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exports - commodities: packaged medicine, garments, cars, refined petroleum, vehicle parts/accessories (2023) note: top five export commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports: $717.278 billion (2024 est.) $739.646 billion (2023 est.) $775.518 billion (2022 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - partners: Germany 15%, France 9%, China 8%, Netherlands 6%, Spain 5% (2023) note: top five import partners based on percentage share of imports; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Imports - commodities: natural gas, crude petroleum, cars, packaged medicine, garments (2023) note: top five import commodities based on value in dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Reserves of foreign exchange and gold: $290.547 billion (2024 est.) $247.396 billion (2023 est.) $224.581 billion (2022 est.) note: holdings of gold (year-end prices)/foreign exchange/special drawing rights in current dollars; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Exchange rates: euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.924 (2024 est.) 0.925 (2023 est.) 0.95 (2022 est.) 0.845 (2021 est.) 0.876 (2020 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Energy8 fields

Electricity access: electrification - total population: 100% (2022 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity: installed generating capacity: 128.692 million kW (2023 est.) consumption: 290.664 billion kWh (2023 est.) exports: 3.32 billion kWh (2023 est.) imports: 54.572 billion kWh (2023 est.) transmission/distribution losses: 17.62 billion kWh (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Electricity generation sources: fossil fuels: 56% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) solar: 12% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) wind: 9.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) hydroelectricity: 14.7% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) geothermal: 2.1% of total installed capacity (2023 est.) biomass and waste: 6.2% of total installed capacity (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Nuclear energy: Number of nuclear reactors permanently shut down: 4 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Coal: production: 1.572 million metric tons (2023 est.) consumption: 12.424 million metric tons (2023 est.) exports: 304,000 metric tons (2023 est.) imports: 12.069 million metric tons (2023 est.) proven reserves: 609.999 million metric tons (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Petroleum: total petroleum production: 111,000 bbl/day (2023 est.) refined petroleum consumption: 1.245 million bbl/day (2024 est.) crude oil estimated reserves: 497.934 million barrels (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Natural gas: production: 2.778 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) consumption: 61.906 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) exports: 2.609 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) imports: 61.851 billion cubic meters (2023 est.) proven reserves: 45.76 billion cubic meters (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Energy consumption per capita: 96.797 million Btu/person (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Communications6 fields

Telephones - fixed lines: total subscriptions: 20.107 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Telephones - mobile cellular: total subscriptions: 78.7 million (2024 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 133 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadcast media: two Italian media giants dominate, with 3 national terrestrial stations; privately owned companies have 3 national terrestrial stations; a large number of private stations, a satellite TV network; 3 AM/FM nationwide radio stations; about 1,300 commercial radio stations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet country code: .it; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Internet users: percent of population: 87% (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Broadband - fixed subscriptions: total: 20.1 million (2023 est.) subscriptions per 100 inhabitants: 34 (2023 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transportation6 fields

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix: I; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Airports: 655 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Heliports: 163 (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Railways: total: 18,475 km (2020) 12,936 km electrified 1289.3 0.950-mm gauge (151.3 km electrified); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Merchant marine: total: 1,276 (2023) by type: bulk carrier 17, container ship 6, general cargo 109, oil tanker 95, other 1,049; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Ports: total ports: 123 (2024) large: 12 medium: 11 small: 71 very small: 28 size unknown: 1 ports with oil terminals: 33 key ports: Brindisi, Civitavecchia, Genova, Gioia Tauro, La Spezia, Livorno, Messina, Napoli, Porto di Lido-Venezia, Siracusa, Taranto, Trieste; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Military and Security7 fields

Military and security forces: Italian Armed Forces (Forze Armate Italiane): Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI; includes aviation, marines), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI); Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC) (2025) note 1: the National (or State) Police and Carabinieri (gendarmerie or military police) maintain internal security; the National Police reports to the Ministry of Interior while the Carabinieri reports to the Ministry of Defense but is also under the coordination of the Ministry of Interior; the Carabinieri is primarily a domestic police force organized along military lines, with some overseas responsibilities note 2: the Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) under the Ministry of Economy and Finance is a force with military status and nationwide remit for financial crime investigations, including narcotics trafficking, smuggling, and illegal immigration; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military expenditures: 2% of GDP (2025 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2024 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2023 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2022 est.) 1.5% of GDP (2021 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military and security service personnel strengths: approximately 170,000 active-duty military personnel; approximately 105,000 Carabinieri (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military equipment inventories and acquisitions: the military's inventory includes a mix of domestically manufactured, imported, and jointly produced weapons systems; imports come mostly from Europe and the US; the Italian defense industry is capable of producing equipment across all the military domains with particular strengths in aircraft, armored vehicles, and naval vessels; it also participates in joint development and production of advanced weapons systems with other European countries and the US (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military service age and obligation: 17 or 18 years of age for voluntary military service for men and women ; voluntary service is a minimum of 12 months with the option to extend in the Armed Forces or compete for positions in other government security organizations; conscription abolished 2004 (2025) note: women serve in all military branches; as of 2023, women made up about 8% of the military's full-time personnel; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military deployments: Italy has on average about 8,000 military personnel deployed in support of NATO, UN, and other foreign missions; significant ground troop deployments include Bulgaria (750), Hungary (250), Kosovo (870), Latvia (300), and Lebanon (875); in addition, air and naval units are deployed in support of NATO missions (2025) note: since 1960, Italy has committed more than 60,000 troops to UN missions, and it hosts a training center in Vicenza for police personnel destined for peacekeeping missions; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Military - note: the Italian military is responsible for Italy’s national defense and security and fulfilling the country’s commitments to the EU, NATO, the UN, and other multinational military, security, and humanitarian operations; it also has some domestic security duties; key areas of emphasis for Italy’s security policy and multinational cooperation are Europe’s eastern and southern flanks, including the Mediterranean Sea, East and North Africa, and the Middle East and its adjacent waters Italy has been an active member of NATO since its founding in 1948, and the Alliance is a cornerstone of Rome’s national security strategy; it is one of NATO’s leading contributors of military forces and participates in such Alliance missions as Air Policing in the Baltics, the Enhanced Forward Presence in Eastern Europe, and maritime patrols in the Mediterranean and beyond; it hosts NATO’s Joint Force Command in Naples and a NATO Rapid Deployable Corps headquarters in Milan Italy is also active in European/EU defense cooperation and integration, including hosting the headquarters for the EU’s Mediterranean naval operations force in Rome; in addition, Italy has close defense ties with the US and hosts several US military air, army, and naval bases and facilities (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Space4 fields

Space agency/agencies: Italian Space Agency (L’Agenzia Spaziale Italiana or ASI; established 1988) (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space launch site(s): the Broglio (aka San Marco, Malindi) Space Center, located near Malindi, Kenya, served from 1967 to 1988 as an Italian and international satellite launch facility; in 2020, Italy concluded a deal with Kenya to conduct rocket launches from the site again in the future; the Italian Space Agency has utilized the site as a satellite ground station since 2004 the Italian Government has designated the Taranto-Grottaglie Airport as a future spaceport and signed framework agreements with commercial space companies that could lead to suborbital and orbital launches from what would be called the Grottaglie Spaceport (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Space program overview: one of the top contributors to the ESA; designs, builds, launches, and operates communications, remote sensing (RS), and scientific satellites; designs and manufactures probes, rockets, and orbital satellite launch vehicles (SLVs); researches, develops, and builds a range of other space-related technologies and participates in a wide array of international programs; hosts the ESA Center for Earth Observation; has astronaut cadre in the ESA astronaut corps; has cooperated with a variety of foreign space agencies and industries, including those of Argentina, Brazil, Canada, China, Israel, Japan, Kenya, Mexico, Russia, South Korea, Thailand, the UAE, and the US; participates in international projects such as the International Space Station; has considerable commercial space industries encompassing a wide range of capabilities (2025); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source
Key space-program milestones: 1964 - first domestically manufactured science satellite (San Marco-1) launched by the US 1977 - first domestically built telecommunications/research satellite (Sirio) launched by the US 1990s-2011 - participated in US Space Shuttle program, resulting in first Italian astronaut in space (1992) 1998-present - participated in International Space Station, including the first European astronaut on the station (2001), first Italian to command it (2019-2020), and first woman to command the station (2022) 2012 - first launch of Italian-designed VEGA 3-stage satellite launch vehicle (SLV) for ESA 2020 - signed US-led Artemis Accords for space and lunar exploration 2023 - first Italian all-electric satellite (MicroHETSat) built for the ESA and launched by the US; began developing a habitat for the US-led Artemis Lunar Gateway project 2025 - passed a national space law to govern Italian space operations; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Terrorism1 fields

Terrorist group(s): Islamic State of Iraq and ash-Sham (ISIS) note: details about the history, aims, leadership, organization, areas of operation, tactics, targets, weapons, size, and sources of support of the group(s) appear(s) in the Terrorism reference guide; CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

Transnational Issues1 fields

Refugees and internally displaced persons: refugees: 520,127 (2024 est.) stateless persons: 3,000 (2024 est.); CIA World Factbook historical record · as of 2026-01-20 · source

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Italy at a glance

Italy through time

Admitted to the United Nations

Changes since the final CIA profile

People, economy, and access

Maintained profile