A remarkable shift is underway in Italy’s business landscape, with a new study revealing a boom in migrant-run companies even as enterprises managed by Italians decline. The research, titled ‘Immigration and Entrepreneurship in Italy and in Europe,’ conducted by the IDOS research center in collaboration with the CNA trade association, paints a compelling picture of the growing economic impact of immigrant entrepreneurs.
According to the study, the number of companies managed by migrants in Italy surged by an impressive 42.7% between 2011 and 2022, while businesses run by Italians experienced a 5% contraction during the same period. By the end of 2022, migrant-run companies had reached a staggering 647,797, accounting for 10.8% of the national total – a significant increase from the modest 7.4% share in 2011.
The study highlights that migrant-run businesses are primarily concentrated in central and northern regions of Italy, with 77.3% of such enterprises located in these areas. However, their presence is also notable in the South, with the regions of Lombardy and Lazio emerging as major hubs, hosting 124,000 and 81,000 migrant-run companies, respectively.
Notably, the majority of migrant-run businesses are sole proprietorships, comprising nearly three-fourths (74.1%) of all activities run by immigrants. However, the study also reveals a growing trend of corporations conducted by migrants, which now account for 119,000 enterprises or 18.4% of the total.
The sectors in which migrant entrepreneurs operate are diverse, with the service industry leading the way at 59%, followed closely by retail (31.8%) and construction (23.9%).
Interestingly, the study found that 82% of immigrant business owners hail from non-EU countries, with Morocco, Romania, and China being the top three countries of origin, contributing 63,000, 53,000, and 52,000 entrepreneurs, respectively. Additionally, migrant women represent a significant and growing component of entrepreneurship, accounting for 24.6% of the total, primarily focused in the service sector.
Luca Di Sciullo, president of IDOS, emphasized the strategic importance of promoting and strengthening the system of migrant-run companies in Italy, describing them as “a vital network bridge between origin countries and Italy.” He highlighted their resilience during global crises and their potential to provide an international perspective to an economy that has historically been “quite closed, provincial and weakened.”
As Italy navigates a transforming business landscape, the rise of migrant entrepreneurs not only underscores their economic contributions but also presents opportunities for innovation, cultural exchange, and global connectivity – factors that could prove invaluable in a rapidly evolving world.