The General Directorate for Immigration and Integration Policies, in collaboration with Sviluppo Lavoro Italia S.p.A., published its 8th annual report on the presence of migrants in metropolitan cities. 

This year’s report includes 9 detailed monographs of the cities with the most significant non-EU presence: Bari, Bologna, Florence, Genoa, Milan, Naples, Rome, Turin, and Venice. Additionally, a summary report covers all 14 metropolitan areas, including Cagliari, Catania, Messina, Palermo, and Reggio Calabria.

According to the report, as of 1 January 2024 there are 3 607 160 non-EU citizens legally residing in Italy. Milan (13%) and Rome (9.4%) account for over one-fifth of the total non-EU population. Cities like Turin, Naples, Florence, and Bologna each host between 2% and 3%, while other metropolitan cities account for less than 2% each. 59.3% of non-EU residents have long-term permits; the highest percentages of long term residents are found in Venice (68.6%), Florence (67.1%), Rome (64%), and Genoa (61.8%). The lowest percentages are in Turin (44.4%), Palermo (44.5%), Catania (47.8%), and Cagliari (48.3%).

In addition to long term residents, family reunification remains a significant driver for migration, with the highest incidences in Venice (45%), Milan (41.2%), Turin (38.8%), and Bologna (38.7%). As for the gender dimention, a nearly even gender split exists among migrants living in the 14 metropolitan areas: 50.8% men and 49.2% women, while minors represent 19.5% of the total population, with higher incidences in Catania (21.5%), Turin (21%), and Venice (20%).

In 2023, 196 040 individuals acquired Italian citizenship, a 1% increase from 2022, and Milan, Rome, and Turin lead in citizenship acquisitions.