Italy is experiencing a structural change in its labour market. Foreign workers now account for about one in four new hires, equal to roughly 1.36 million contracts in 2025, or 23% of total recruitment. This marks a sharp increase compared with the pre-pandemic period, when the share was significantly lower.
The trend is not temporary. Research centres and business associations describe foreign labour as a stable and essential component of the Italian production system.
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Sectors most dependent on foreign hires
The weight of foreign recruitment varies widely across industries. The highest shares are found in sectors where labour shortages are persistent and where working conditions are often less attractive for Italian workers.
Key sectors include:
- Agriculture, where foreign workers represent almost 43% of new hires
- Textile, clothing and footwear, around 42%
- Construction, more than 33%
- Cleaning and logistics, about 27%
- Hospitality and catering, with the highest number of absolute hires
These are labour-intensive sectors that struggle to find domestic workers and rely on seasonal or manual roles.
Demographic pressures and labour shortages
Italy faces a rapid ageing population and a declining birth rate. The number of people of working age is shrinking, while the number of retirees is growing.
Foreign workers help to:
- expand the active workforce
- support the pension system
- reduce the demographic gap
Without this contribution, the burden on younger Italian workers would be significantly higher.
Not a substitution but a structural complement
Available data suggest that foreign workers do not replace Italian workers on a large scale. Instead, they tend to fill roles that would otherwise remain vacant, especially in:
- agriculture
- domestic care and elderly assistance
- logistics and transport
- construction
In many local economies these sectors would face operational difficulties without migrant labour.
Geographic distribution and economic impact
Foreign employees are now a structural presence across the country. The highest incidence among employees is recorded in:
- Emilia-Romagna
- Tuscany
- Lombardy
Overall, non-EU dependent workers number around 2.2 million. From a fiscal perspective, they generate a positive net contribution. They pay taxes and social contributions but, being younger on average, receive fewer pensions and welfare benefits. This improves short-term liquidity in the pension system.
Reasons behind the growth of foreign hiring
Several structural factors explain the increase:
- demographic decline of the native workforce
- mismatch between labour demand and Italian job preferences
- expansion of low- and medium-skill service sectors
- migrant networks that facilitate recruitment
- limited recognition of foreign qualifications, pushing many into manual roles
The growth of immigrant-owned businesses also contributes to job creation and local economic revitalisation.
Economic and social implications
The rise in foreign hiring has multiple effects. On the economic side, it supports production, keeps supply chains functioning, and stabilises public finances. On the social side, it increases the need for integration policies, training programmes, and regular migration channels aligned with labour demand.
For companies, foreign labour represents a strategic resource. For the welfare system, it is a buffer against demographic decline. For policymakers, it requires a balance between labour needs, social cohesion, and migration governance.
