Immigration and Entrepreneurship: The 2024 IDOS-CNA Report Highlights Steady and Diversified Growth
Amid global challenges and an escalating demographic crisis, immigrant entrepreneurship is emerging as a key driver of Italy’s economic vitality. The 2024 Immigration and Entrepreneurship Report, produced by the IDOS Study and Research Center in collaboration with CNA and presented in Rome, offers a comprehensive analysis of the evolution and strategic relevance of businesses led by foreign-born citizens.
The report reveals strong growth: over the past decade, the number of businesses founded by foreign-born entrepreneurs has risen by 32.7%, reaching 660,000—accounting for 11% of all businesses in the country. One notable trend is the shift in legal structures: while sole proprietorships still dominate (73%), limited liability companies have nearly tripled (+160%), signaling increased solidity and competitiveness.
The role of younger generations is equally significant: while youth-led businesses among Italian nationals have declined by 22.8%, those led by young immigrants remain robust, now representing 19% of all migrant-owned enterprises. Immigrant entrepreneurship is also evolving beyond traditional sectors such as retail and construction, with marked growth in high value-added industries, including:
- Accommodation and food services (+57.6%)
- Personal services (+101.6%)
- Scientific and technical activities (+56%)
- Healthcare and social assistance (+77.6%)
Regionally, growth is spread across the country, with Northern Italy—especially Lombardy, Emilia-Romagna, and Veneto—remaining the principal hub. However, Southern regions are accelerating rapidly, with Campania (+72.8%) and Puglia (+33.8%) leading the way. Rome and Milan continue to be the main centers of migrant entrepreneurship, while Naples and Caserta are emerging as new hotspots of growth.