Italy: Population, Economy & Travel Facts

Essential data for planning your trip to Italy — from population and demographics to economic indicators, healthcare infrastructure, tourism trends, and digital connectivity.

Population & Geography

Population
60,431,283
#23 of 197 countries
Area
301,340 km²
#72 of 248 countries
Density
200.5 / km²
#71 of 245 countries

Italy has a population of 60,431,283 spread across 301,340 km², giving it an average density of 200.5 people per km². This moderate density means a mix of bustling cities and quieter rural areas to explore.

Demographics

Median Age
48.8
Life Expectancy
83.0 yrs
Literacy Rate
99.3%
Government
parliamentary republic
Religions
GDP by Sector

Population Trends

How a country's age structure is shifting tells you a lot about what to expect on the ground. A growing elderly population often means better healthcare and higher costs, while a young population signals energy and growth but potentially less developed infrastructure.

Age Structure Over Time
Population Growth Rate (%)
Urban vs Rural (%)
Birth & Death Rates (per 1,000)

Economy & Cost of Living

Understanding the local economy helps travellers budget effectively and set expectations. Italy is classified as a high income country by the World Bank. Prices are roughly 65% of US levels, meaning costs are moderate and most travellers will find it reasonably affordable.

Income Level
High income
GDP per Capita
$39,277
Cost of Living
65% of US
Inflation
5.6%
Inequality
33.7
Moderate
GDP per Capita (USD)
GDP Growth (%)
Inflation Rate (%)
Employment
GDP/Capita (PPP)
$53,100
Unemployment
6.8%

Tourism

Tourism data reveals how popular a destination is and how much infrastructure exists to support visitors. Tourism accounts for 3.7% of Italy's total exports, making it a smaller part of the economy, meaning you may find fewer purpose-built tourist facilities but more authentic experiences.

Tourism Revenue
$20,459,000,000
Tourism % of Exports
3.7%
Outbound Tourists
21,448,000
Air Passengers
20,264,734
International Tourist Arrivals
Tourism Receipts (USD)
Air Passengers Carried
Tourism as % of Exports

Health & Safety Infrastructure

Healthcare quality matters when you're far from home. These indicators help gauge what level of medical care is available — Italy has 4.19 physicians per 1,000 people, above the global average, indicating strong healthcare infrastructure.

Physicians
4.19/1k
Hospital Beds
3.06/1k
Health Spend
$3398/person
Infant Mortality
2.3/1k
Immunization
95%
Safe Drinking Water
99.9%
Basic Sanitation
99.9%
Health Expenditure per Capita (USD)
Hospital Beds per 1,000

Connectivity & Digital Infrastructure

Staying connected while travelling is essential for navigation, communication, and remote work. In Italy, 87% of the population uses the internet — expect widely available WiFi in hotels, cafes, and public spaces. There are 132 mobile subscriptions per 100 people, and local SIM cards are easy to find.

Internet Users
87.0%
Mobile Subs
132/100
Broadband
31.8/100
Internet Users (%)
Urbanization (%)

Source: World Bank Open Data