2017 Edition

Background

Italy became a nation-state in 1861 when the regional states of the peninsula, along with Sardinia and Sicily, were united under King Victor EMMANUEL II. An era of parliamentary government came to a close in the early 1920s when Benito MUSSOLINI established a Fascist dictatorship. His alliance with Nazi Germany led to Italy's defeat in World War II. A democratic republic replaced the monarchy in 1946 and economic revival followed. Italy is a charter member of NATO and the European Economic Community (EEC) and its subsequent successors the EC and the EU. It has been at the forefront of European economic and political unification, joining the Economic and Monetary Union in 1999. Persistent problems include sluggish economic growth, high youth and female unemployment, organized crime, corruption, and economic disparities between southern Italy and the more prosperous north.

Area

301,340 sq km 294,140 sq km 7,200 sq km includes Sardinia and Sicily

land

294,140 sq km

note

includes Sardinia and Sicily

total

301,340 sq km

water

7,200 sq km

Area - comparative

almost twice the size of Georgia; slightly larger than Arizona

Climate

predominantly Mediterranean; alpine in far north; hot, dry in south

Coastline

7,600 km

Elevation

538 m lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m highest point: Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

elevation extremes

lowest point: Mediterranean Sea 0 m

highest point

Mont Blanc (Monte Bianco) de Courmayeur 4,748 m (a secondary peak of Mont Blanc)

mean elevation

538 m

Environment - current issues

air pollution from industrial emissions such as sulfur dioxide; coastal and inland rivers polluted from industrial and agricultural effluents; acid rain damaging lakes; inadequate industrial waste treatment and disposal facilities

Environment - international agreements

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling none of the selected agreements

party to

Air Pollution, Air Pollution-Nitrogen Oxides, Air Pollution-Persistent Organic Pollutants, Air Pollution-Sulfur 85, Air Pollution-Sulfur 94, Air Pollution-Volatile Organic Compounds, Antarctic-Environmental Protocol, Antarctic-Marine Living Resources, Antarctic Seals, Antarctic Treaty, Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change-Kyoto Protocol, Desertification, Endangered Species, Environmental Modification, Hazardous Wastes, Law of the Sea, Marine Dumping, Ozone Layer Protection, Ship Pollution, Tropical Timber 83, Tropical Timber 94, Wetlands, Whaling

signed, but not ratified

none of the selected agreements

Geographic coordinates

42 50 N, 12 50 E

Geography - note

strategic location dominating central Mediterranean as well as southern sea and air approaches to Western Europe

Irrigated land

39,500 sq km (2012)

Land boundaries

1,836.4 km Austria 404 km, France 476 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km, San Marino 37 km, Slovenia 218 km, Switzerland 698 km

border countries (6)

Austria 404 km, France 476 km, Holy See (Vatican City) 3.4 km, San Marino 37 km, Slovenia 218 km, Switzerland 698 km

total

1,836.4 km

Land use

47.1% arable land 22.8%; permanent crops 8.6%; permanent pasture 15.7% 31.4% 21.5% (2011 est.)

agricultural land

47.1%

forest

31.4%

other

21.5% (2011 est.)

Location

Southern Europe, a peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, northeast of Tunisia

Map references

Europe

Maritime claims

12 nm 200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

continental shelf

200-m depth or to the depth of exploitation

territorial sea

12 nm

Natural hazards

regional risks include landslides, mudflows, avalanches, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding; land subsidence in Venice significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m), which is in eruption as of 2010, is Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in the Bay of Naples area, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

volcanism

significant volcanic activity; Etna (3,330 m), which is in eruption as of 2010, is Europe's most active volcano; flank eruptions pose a threat to nearby Sicilian villages; Etna, along with the famous Vesuvius, which remains a threat to the millions of nearby residents in the Bay of Naples area, have both been deemed Decade Volcanoes by the International Association of Volcanology and Chemistry of the Earth's Interior, worthy of study due to their explosive history and close proximity to human populations; Stromboli, on its namesake island, has also been continuously active with moderate volcanic activity; other historically active volcanoes include Campi Flegrei, Ischia, Larderello, Pantelleria, Vulcano, and Vulsini

Natural resources

coal, mercury, zinc, potash, marble, barite, asbestos, pumice, fluorspar, feldspar, pyrite (sulfur), natural gas and crude oil reserves, fish, arable land

Population - distribution

despite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations

Terrain

mostly rugged and mountainous; some plains, coastal lowlands

Age structure

13.65% (male 4,334,457/female 4,146,726) 9.66% (male 3,008,228/female 2,996,854) 42.16% (male 12,933,634/female 13,265,541) 12.99% (male 3,914,061/female 4,159,859) 21.53% (male 5,758,197/female 7,620,245) (2017 est.)

0-14 years

13.65% (male 4,334,457/female 4,146,726)

15-24 years

9.66% (male 3,008,228/female 2,996,854)

25-54 years

42.16% (male 12,933,634/female 13,265,541)

55-64 years

12.99% (male 3,914,061/female 4,159,859)

65 years and over

21.53% (male 5,758,197/female 7,620,245) (2017 est.)

Birth rate

8.6 births/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Death rate

10.4 deaths/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Dependency ratios

56.5 21.5 2.9 (2015 est.)

elderly dependency ratio

35

potential support ratio

2.9 (2015 est.)

total dependency ratio

56.5

youth dependency ratio

21.5

Drinking water source

urban: 100% of population rural: 100% of population total: 100% of population urban: 0% of population rural: 0% of population total: 0% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0% of population

total

0% of population (2015 est.)

urban

0% of population

Education expenditures

4.2% of GDP (2013)

Ethnic groups

Italian (includes small clusters of German-, French-, and Slovene-Italians in the north and Albanian-Italians and Greek-Italians in the south)

Health expenditures

9.2% of GDP (2014)

HIV/AIDS - adult prevalence rate

0.3% (2016 est.)

HIV/AIDS - people living with HIV/AIDS

130,000 (2016 est.)

Hospital bed density

3.4 beds/1,000 population (2011)

Infant mortality rate

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births 3.5 deaths/1,000 live births 3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

female

3 deaths/1,000 live births (2017 est.)

male

3.5 deaths/1,000 live births

total

3.3 deaths/1,000 live births

Languages

Italian (official), German (parts of Trentino-Alto Adige region are predominantly German speaking), French (small French-speaking minority in Valle d'Aosta region), Slovene (Slovene-speaking minority in the Trieste-Gorizia area)

Life expectancy at birth

82.3 years 79.6 years 85.1 years (2017 est.)

female

85.1 years (2017 est.)

male

79.6 years

total population

82.3 years

Literacy

age 15 and over can read and write 99.2% 99.4% 99% (2015 est.)

definition

age 15 and over can read and write

female

99% (2015 est.)

male

99.4%

total population

99.2%

Major urban areas - population

ROME (capital) 3.718 million; Milan 3.099 million; Naples 2.202 million; Turin 1.765 million; Palermo 853,000; Bergamo 840,000 (2015)

Maternal mortality rate

4 deaths/100,000 live births (2015 est.)

Median age

45.5 years 44.4 years 46.5 years (2017 est.)

female

46.5 years (2017 est.)

male

44.4 years

total

45.5 years

Mother's mean age at first birth

30.7 years (2014 est.)

Nationality

Italian(s) Italian

adjective

Italian

noun

Italian(s)

Net migration rate

3.7 migrant(s)/1,000 population (2017 est.)

Obesity - adult prevalence rate

19.9% (2016)

Physicians density

3.95 physicians/1,000 population (2014)

Population

62,137,802 (July 2017 est.)

Population distribution

despite a distinctive pattern with an industrial north and an agrarian south, a fairly even population distribution exists throughout most of the country, with coastal areas, the Po River Valley, and urban centers (particularly Milan, Rome, and Naples), attracting larger and denser populations

Population growth rate

0.19% (2017 est.)

Religions

Christian 80% (overwhelmingly Roman Catholic with very small groups of Jehovah's Witnesses and Protestants), Muslim (about 800,000 to 1 million), atheist and agnostic 20%

Sanitation facility access

urban: 99.5% of population rural: 99.6% of population total: 99.5% of population urban: 0.5% of population rural: 0.4% of population total: 0.5% of population (2015 est.)

rural

0.4% of population

total

0.5% of population (2015 est.)

unimproved

:

urban

0.5% of population

School life expectancy (primary to tertiary education)

16 years 16 years 17 years (2014)

female

17 years (2014)

male

16 years

total

16 years

Sex ratio

1.06 male(s)/female 1.04 male(s)/female 1 male(s)/female 0.98 male(s)/female 0.94 male(s)/female 0.75 male(s)/female 0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

0-14 years

1.04 male(s)/female

15-24 years

1 male(s)/female

25-54 years

0.98 male(s)/female

55-64 years

0.94 male(s)/female

65 years and over

0.75 male(s)/female

at birth

1.06 male(s)/female

total population

0.93 male(s)/female (2016 est.)

Total fertility rate

1.44 children born/woman (2017 est.)

Unemployment, youth ages 15-24

40.3% 38.8% 42.6% (2015 est.)

female

42.6% (2015 est.)

male

38.8%

total

40.3%

Urbanization

69.3% of total population (2017) 0.32% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

rate of urbanization

0.32% annual rate of change (2015-20 est.)

urban population

69.3% of total population (2017)

Administrative divisions

15 regions (regioni, singular - regione) and 5 autonomous regions (regioni autonome, singular - regione autonoma) Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto (Venetia) Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia); Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallee d'Aoste (French)

autonomous regions

Friuli-Venezia Giulia; Sardegna (Sardinia); Sicilia (Sicily); Trentino-Alto Adige (Trentino-South Tyrol) or Trentino-Suedtirol (German); Valle d'Aosta (Aosta Valley) or Vallee d'Aoste (French)

regions

Abruzzo, Basilicata, Calabria, Campania, Emilia-Romagna, Lazio (Latium), Liguria, Lombardia, Marche, Molise, Piemonte (Piedmont), Puglia (Apulia), Toscana (Tuscany), Umbria, Veneto (Venetia)

Capital

Rome 41 54 N, 12 29 E UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time) +1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

daylight saving time

+1hr, begins last Sunday in March; ends last Sunday in October

geographic coordinates

41 54 N, 12 29 E

name

Rome

time difference

UTC+1 (6 hours ahead of Washington, DC, during Standard Time)

Citizenship

no at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy yes 4 years for EU nationals, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, 10 years for all others

citizenship by birth

no

citizenship by descent only

at least one parent must be a citizen of Italy

dual citizenship recognized

yes

residency requirement for naturalization

4 years for EU nationals, 5 years for refugees and specified exceptions, 10 years for all others

Constitution

previous 1848 (originally for the Kingdom of Sardinia and adopted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1861); latest enacted 22 December 1947, adopted 27 December 1947, entered into force 1 January 1948 proposed by both houses of Parliament; passage requires two successive debates and approval by absolute majority of each house on the second vote; a referendum is only required when requested by one-fifth of the members of either house, by voter petition, or by five Regional Councils (elected legislative assemblies of the 15 first-level administrative regions and 5 autonomous regions of Italy); referendum not required if an amendment has been approved by a two-thirds majority in each house in the second vote; amended many times, last in 2012; note - a referendum held on 4 December 2016 on constitutional amendments was defeated (2017)

amendments

proposed by both houses of Parliament; passage requires two successive debates and approval by absolute majority of each house on the second vote; a referendum is only required when requested by one-fifth of the members of either house, by voter petition, or by five Regional Councils (elected legislative assemblies of the 15 first-level administrative regions and 5 autonomous regions of Italy); referendum not required if an amendment has been approved by a two-thirds majority in each house in the second vote; amended many times, last in 2012; note - a referendum held on 4 December 2016 on constitutional amendments was defeated (2017)

history

previous 1848 (originally for the Kingdom of Sardinia and adopted by the Kingdom of Italy in 1861); latest enacted 22 December 1947, adopted 27 December 1947, entered into force 1 January 1948

Country name

Italian Republic Italy Repubblica Italiana Italia Kingdom of Italy derivation is unclear, but the Latin "Italia" may come from the Oscan "Viteliu" meaning "[Land] of Young Cattle" (the bull was a symbol of southern Italic tribes)

conventional long form

Italian Republic

conventional short form

Italy

etymology

derivation is unclear, but the Latin "Italia" may come from the Oscan "Viteliu" meaning "[Land] of Young Cattle" (the bull was a symbol of southern Italic tribes)

former

Kingdom of Italy

local long form

Repubblica Italiana

local short form

Italia

Diplomatic representation from the US

Ambassador Lewis EISENBERG (since 4 October 2017) note - also accredited to San Marino Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624 (+39)06.46741 [39] (06) 4674-2244 Florence, Milan, Naples

chief of mission

Ambassador Lewis EISENBERG (since 4 October 2017) note - also accredited to San Marino

consulate(s) general

Florence, Milan, Naples

embassy

Via Vittorio Veneto 121, 00187-Rome

FAX

[39] (06) 4674-2244

mailing address

PSC 59, Box 100, APO AE 09624

telephone

(+39)06.46741

Diplomatic representation in the US

Ambassador Armando VARRICCHIO (since 2 March 2016) 3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008 [1] (202) 612-4400 [1] (202) 518-2151 Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco Charlotte (NC), Cleveland (OH), Detroit (MI), Hattiesburg (MS), Honolulu (HI), New Orleans, Newark (NJ), Norfolk (VA), Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Seattle

chancery

3000 Whitehaven Street NW, Washington, DC 20008

chief of mission

Ambassador Armando VARRICCHIO (since 2 March 2016)

consulate(s)

Charlotte (NC), Cleveland (OH), Detroit (MI), Hattiesburg (MS), Honolulu (HI), New Orleans, Newark (NJ), Norfolk (VA), Pittsburgh (PA), Portland (OR), Seattle

consulate(s) general

Boston, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, Miami, New York, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, San Francisco

FAX

[1] (202) 518-2151

telephone

[1] (202) 612-4400

Executive branch

President Sergio MATTARELLA (since 3 February 2015) Prime Minister Paolo GENTILONI (since 12 December 2016); note - Prime Minister Matteo RENZI (since 22 February 2014) resigned 12 December 2016; the prime minister's official title is President of the Council of Ministers Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, known officially as the President of the Council of Ministers and locally as the Premier; nominated by the president president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 31 January 2015 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by parliament Sergio MATTARELLA (PD) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 1,009 (505-vote threshold)

cabinet

Council of Ministers proposed by the prime minister, known officially as the President of the Council of Ministers and locally as the Premier; nominated by the president

chief of state

President Sergio MATTARELLA (since 3 February 2015)

election results

Sergio MATTARELLA (PD) elected president; electoral college vote count in fourth round - 665 out of 1,009 (505-vote threshold)

elections/appointments

president indirectly elected by an electoral college consisting of both houses of Parliament and 58 regional representatives for a 7-year term (no term limits); election last held on 31 January 2015 (next to be held in 2022); prime minister appointed by the president, confirmed by parliament

head of government

Prime Minister Paolo GENTILONI (since 12 December 2016); note - Prime Minister Matteo RENZI (since 22 February 2014) resigned 12 December 2016; the prime minister's official title is President of the Council of Ministers

Flag description

three equal vertical bands of green (hoist side), white, and red; design inspired by the French flag brought to Italy by Napoleon in 1797; colors are those of Milan (red and white) combined with the green uniform color of the Milanese civic guard similar to the flag of Mexico, which is longer, uses darker shades of red and green, and has its coat of arms centered on the white band; Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green

note

similar to the flag of Mexico, which is longer, uses darker shades of red and green, and has its coat of arms centered on the white band; Ireland, which is longer and is green (hoist side), white, and orange; also similar to the flag of the Cote d'Ivoire, which has the colors reversed - orange (hoist side), white, and green

Government type

parliamentary republic

Independence

17 March 1861 (Kingdom of Italy proclaimed; Italy was not finally unified until 1871)

International law organization participation

accepts compulsory ICJ jurisdiction with reservations; accepts ICCt jurisdiction

International organization participation

ADB (nonregional member), AfDB (nonregional member), Arctic Council (observer), Australia Group, BIS, BSEC (observer), CBSS (observer), CD, CDB, CE, CEI, CERN, EAPC, EBRD, ECB, EIB, EITI (implementing country), EMU, ESA, EU, FAO, FATF, G-7, G-8, G-10, G-20, IADB, IAEA, IBRD, ICAO, ICC (national committees), ICCt, ICRM, IDA, IEA, IFAD, IFC, IFRCS, IGAD (partners), IHO, ILO, IMF, IMO, IMSO, Interpol, IOC, IOM, IPU, ISO, ITSO, ITU, ITUC (NGOs), LAIA (observer), MIGA, MINURSO, MINUSMA, NATO, NEA, NSG, OAS (observer), OECD, OPCW, OSCE, Pacific Alliance (observer), Paris Club, PCA, PIF (partner), Schengen Convention, SELEC (observer), SICA (observer), UN, UN Security Council (temporary), UNCTAD, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNIDO, UNIFIL, Union Latina, UNMOGIP, UNRWA, UNTSO, UNWTO, UPU, WCO, WHO, WIPO, WMO, WTO, ZC

Judicial branch

Supreme Court of Cassation or Corte Suprema di Cassazione consists of the first president (chief justice), deputy president, 54 justices presiding over 6 civil and 7 criminal divisions, and 288 judges; an additional 30 judges of lower courts serve as supporting judges; cases normally heard by 5-judge panels; more complex cases heard by 9-judge panels; Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (consists of the court president and 14 judges) Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of the Judiciary, headed by the president of the republic; judges may serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 5 appointed by the president, 5 elected by parliament, 5 elected by select higher courts; judges serve up to 9 years various lower civil and criminal courts (primary and secondary tribunals, courts, and courts of appeal)

highest court(s)

Supreme Court of Cassation or Corte Suprema di Cassazione consists of the first president (chief justice), deputy president, 54 justices presiding over 6 civil and 7 criminal divisions, and 288 judges; an additional 30 judges of lower courts serve as supporting judges; cases normally heard by 5-judge panels; more complex cases heard by 9-judge panels; Constitutional Court or Corte Costituzionale (consists of the court president and 14 judges)

judge selection and term of office

Supreme Court judges appointed by the High Council of the Judiciary, headed by the president of the republic; judges may serve for life; Constitutional Court judges - 5 appointed by the president, 5 elected by parliament, 5 elected by select higher courts; judges serve up to 9 years

subordinate courts

various lower civil and criminal courts (primary and secondary tribunals, courts, and courts of appeal)

Legal system

civil law system; judicial review of legislation under certain conditions in Constitutional Court

Legislative branch

bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (322 seats; 315 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 7 ex-officio members appointed by the president of the Republic to serve for life) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 629 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 1 member from Valle d'Aosta elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms) Senate - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held in May 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held by 20 May 2018) Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - center-left coalition 123 (PD 111, SEL 7, SVP 2, other 3), center-right coalition 117 (PdL 98, LN 18, other 1), M5S 54, centrist coalition 19, other 2 Chamber of Deputies - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - center-left coalition 345 (PD 297, SEL 37, CD 6 SVP 5), center-right coalition 125 (PdL 98, LN 18, FdI-AN 9), M5S 109, centrist coalition 47, other 3

description

bicameral Parliament or Parlamento consists of the Senate or Senato della Repubblica (322 seats; 315 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote to serve 5-year terms and 7 ex-officio members appointed by the president of the Republic to serve for life) and the Chamber of Deputies or Camera dei Deputati (630 seats; 629 members directly elected in single- and multi-seat constituencies by proportional representation vote and 1 member from Valle d'Aosta elected by simple majority vote; members serve 5-year terms)

election results

Senate - percent of vote by party - NA; seats by party - center-left coalition 123 (PD 111, SEL 7, SVP 2, other 3), center-right coalition 117 (PdL 98, LN 18, other 1), M5S 54, centrist coalition 19, other 2

elections

Senate - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held in May 2018); Chamber of Deputies - last held on 24-25 February 2013 (next to be held by 20 May 2018)

National anthem

"Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians) Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy)

lyrics/music

Goffredo MAMELI/Michele NOVARO

name

"Il Canto degli Italiani" (The Song of the Italians)

note

adopted 1946; the anthem, originally written in 1847, is also known as "L'Inno di Mameli" (Mameli's Hymn), and "Fratelli D'Italia" (Brothers of Italy)

National holiday

Republic Day, 2 June (1946)

National symbol(s)

white, five-pointed star (Stella d'Italia); national colors: red, white, green

white, five-pointed star (Stella d'Italia); national colors

red, white, green

Political parties and leaders

Civic Choice or SC [Enrico ZANETTI] Democratic Centre or CD [Bruno TABACCI] Democratic Party or PD [Matteo RENZI] Popular Alliance or AP [Angelino ALFANO] (formerly New Center-Right or NCD) Union of the Center or UdC [Pier Fernando CASSINI] Brothers of Italy-National Alliance or FdI-AN [Giorgia MELONI, Ignazio LA RUSSA, and Guido CROSETTO] Forza Italia [Silvio BERLUSCONI] (formerly People of Freedom or PdL) Northern League or LN [Matteo SALVINI] Five Star Movement or M5S [Luigi DI MAIO] Liberal Popular Alliance or ALA [Denis VERDINI] Movement of Democrats and Progressives or DP [Roberto SPERANZA] Sinistra Italiani [Nicola FRATOIANNI] (formerly Sinistra Ecologia Liberta or SEL) South Tyrolean People's Party or SVP [Philipp ACHAMMER]

Center-right opposition

Brothers of Italy-National Alliance or FdI-AN [Giorgia MELONI, Ignazio LA RUSSA, and Guido CROSETTO]

Other parties and parliamentary groups

Five Star Movement or M5S [Luigi DI MAIO]

Ruling left-center-right coalition

Civic Choice or SC [Enrico ZANETTI]

Political pressure groups and leaders

Confcommercio Confindustria Confcoltivatori Confagricoltura Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Susanna CAMUSSO] (left wing) Confederazione Italiana dei Sindacati Lavoratori or CISL [Raffaele BONANNI] (Roman Catholic centrist) Unione Italiana del Lavoro or UIL [Luigi ANGELETTI] (lay centrist) Roman Catholic Church

major trade union confederations

Confederazione Generale Italiana del Lavoro or CGIL [Susanna CAMUSSO] (left wing)

manufacturers and merchants associations

Confcommercio

organized farm groups

Confcoltivatori

other

Roman Catholic Church

Suffrage

18 years of age; universal except in senatorial elections, where minimum age is 25

Agriculture - products

fruits, vegetables, grapes, potatoes, sugar beets, soybeans, grain, olives; beef, dairy products; fish

Budget

$872.6 billion $917.7 billion (2016 est.)

expenditures

$917.7 billion (2016 est.)

revenues

$872.6 billion

Budget surplus (+) or deficit (-)

-2.4% of GDP (2016 est.)

Central bank discount rate

0.25% (31 December 2013) 0.75% (31 December 2012) this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

note

this is the European Central Bank's rate on the marginal lending facility, which offers overnight credit to banks in the euro area

Commercial bank prime lending rate

3.5% (31 December 2016 est.) 4.13% (31 December 2015 est.)

Current account balance

$47.31 billion (2016 est.) $26.12 billion (2015 est.)

Debt - external

$2.444 trillion (31 March 2016 est.) $2.3 trillion (31 March 2015 est.)

Distribution of family income - Gini index

31.9 (2012 est.) 27.3 (1995)

Economy - overview

Italy has a diversified economy, which is divided into a developed industrial north, dominated by private companies, and a less-developed, highly subsidized, agricultural south, where unemployment is higher. The Italian economy is driven in large part by the manufacture of high-quality consumer goods produced by small and medium-sized enterprises, many of them family-owned. Italy also has a sizable underground economy, which by some estimates accounts for as much as 17% of GDP. These activities are most common within the agriculture, construction, and service sectors. Italy is the third-largest economy in the euro zone, but its exceptionally high public debt and structural impediments to growth have rendered it vulnerable to scrutiny by financial markets. Public debt has increased steadily since 2007, reaching 133% of GDP in 2016. Investor concerns about Italy and the broader euro-zone crisis eased in 2013, bringing down Italy's borrowing costs on sovereign government debt from euro-era records. The government still faces pressure from investors and European partners to sustain its efforts to address Italy's longstanding structural impediments to growth, such as labor market inefficiencies, a sluggish judicial system, and a weak banking sector. Italy’s economy returned to modest growth in late 2014 for the first time since late 2011. In 2015-16, Italy’s economy grew 0.7% each year. In 2016, overall unemployment was 11.7%, but youth unemployment remains high at 37.1%.

Exchange rates

euros (EUR) per US dollar - 0.9214 (2016 est.) 0.885 (2015 est.) 0.885 (2014 est.) 0.7634 (2013 est.) 0.7752 (2012 est.)

Exports

$454.1 billion (2016 est.) $449.6 billion (2015 est.)

Exports - commodities

engineering products, textiles and clothing, production machinery, motor vehicles, transport equipment, chemicals; foodstuffs, beverages, and tobacco; minerals, nonferrous metals

Exports - partners

Germany 12.6%, France 10.5%, US 8.9%, UK 5.4%, Spain 5%, Switzerland 4.6% (2016)

Fiscal year

calendar year

GDP - composition, by end use

60.6% 18.9% 17% 0.1% 30% -26.5% (2016 est.)

exports of goods and services

30%

government consumption

18.9%

household consumption

60.6%

imports of goods and services

-26.5% (2016 est.)

investment in fixed capital

17%

investment in inventories

0.1%

GDP - composition, by sector of origin

2.1% 24.1% 73.8% (2016 est.)

agriculture

2.1%

industry

24.1%

services

73.8% (2016 est.)

GDP - per capita (PPP)

$36,800 (2016 est.) $36,400 (2015 est.) $36,100 (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

GDP - real growth rate

0.9% (2016 est.) 0.8% (2015 est.) 0.1% (2014 est.)

GDP (official exchange rate)

$1.851 trillion (2016 est.)

GDP (purchasing power parity)

$2.234 trillion (2016 est.) $2.187 trillion (2015 est.) $2.146 trillion (2014 est.) data are in 2016 dollars

note

data are in 2016 dollars

Gross national saving

19.6% of GDP (2016 est.) 18.8% of GDP (2015 est.) 18.9% of GDP (2014 est.)

Household income or consumption by percentage share

2.3% 26.8% (2000)

highest 10%

26.8% (2000)

lowest 10%

2.3%

Imports

$387.1 billion (2016 est.) $393.4 billion (2015 est.)

Imports - commodities

engineering products, chemicals, transport equipment, energy products, minerals and nonferrous metals, textiles and clothing; food, beverages, tobacco

Imports - partners

Germany 16.3%, France 8.9%, China 7.5%, Netherlands 5.5%, Spain 5.3%, Belgium 4.9% (2016)

Industrial production growth rate

1.5% (2016 est.)

Industries

tourism, machinery, iron and steel, chemicals, food processing, textiles, motor vehicles, clothing, footwear, ceramics

Inflation rate (consumer prices)

-0.1% (2016 est.) 0.1% (2015 est.)

Labor force

25.76 million (2016 est.)

Labor force - by occupation

3.9% 28.3% 67.8% (2011)

agriculture

3.9%

industry

28.3%

services

67.8% (2011)

Market value of publicly traded shares

$587.3 billion (31 December 2014 est.) $615.5 billion (31 December 2013 est.) $480.5 billion (31 December 2012 est.)

Population below poverty line

29.9% (2012 est.)

Public debt

132.5% of GDP (2016 est.) 132.1% of GDP (2015 est.) Italy reports its data on public debt according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty; general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year, in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the central government, state government, local government and social security funds

note

Italy reports its data on public debt according to guidelines set out in the Maastricht Treaty; general government gross debt is defined in the Maastricht Treaty as consolidated general government gross debt at nominal value, outstanding at the end of the year, in the following categories of government liabilities (as defined in ESA95): currency and deposits (AF.2), securities other than shares excluding financial derivatives (AF.3, excluding AF.34), and loans (AF.4); the general government sector comprises the central government, state government, local government and social security funds

Reserves of foreign exchange and gold

$136 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $130.6 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of broad money

$1.519 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.497 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - abroad

$584.1 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $587.3 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of direct foreign investment - at home

$471.7 billion (31 December 2016 est.) $457.1 billion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of domestic credit

$3.024 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $3.053 trillion (31 December 2015 est.)

Stock of narrow money

$1.101 trillion (31 December 2016 est.) $1.027 trillion (31 December 2015 est.) see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

note

see entry for the European Union for money supply for the entire euro area; the European Central Bank (ECB) controls monetary policy for the 18 members of the Economic and Monetary Union (EMU); individual members of the EMU do not control the quantity of money circulating within their own borders

Taxes and other revenues

47.1% of GDP (2016 est.)

Unemployment rate

11.7% (2016 est.) 11.9% (2015 est.)

Carbon dioxide emissions from consumption of energy

362 million Mt (2013 est.)

Crude oil - exports

11,610 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - imports

1.231 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - production

70,670 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Crude oil - proved reserves

556.7 million bbl (1 January 2017 es)

Electricity - consumption

296 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity - exports

6.155 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - from fossil fuels

52.8% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from hydroelectric plants

12.5% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from nuclear fuels

0% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - from other renewable sources

28.6% of total installed capacity (2015 est.)

Electricity - imports

43.18 billion kWh (2016 est.)

Electricity - installed generating capacity

117 million kW (2015 est.)

Electricity - production

269.3 billion kWh (2015 est.)

Electricity access

100% (2016)

electrification - total population

100% (2016)

Natural gas - consumption

70.91 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - exports

21.2 million cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - imports

65.28 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - production

5.785 billion cu m (2016 est.)

Natural gas - proved reserves

49.13 billion cu m (1 January 2017 es)

Refined petroleum products - consumption

1.253 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - exports

572,000 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - imports

449,600 bbl/day (2016 est.)

Refined petroleum products - production

1.567 million bbl/day (2016 est.)

Broadcast media

two Italian media giants dominate - the publicly owned Radiotelevisione Italiana (RAI) with 3 national terrestrial stations and privately owned Mediaset with 3 national terrestrial stations; a large number of private stations and Sky Italia - a satellite TV network; RAI operates 3 AM/FM nationwide radio stations; about 1,300 commercial radio stations (2007)

Internet country code

.it

Internet users

38,025,661 61.3% (July 2016 est.)

percent of population

61.3% (July 2016 est.)

total

38,025,661

Telephone system

modern, well-developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks country code - 39; a series of submarine cables provide links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat (2015)

domestic

high-capacity cable and microwave radio relay trunks

general assessment

modern, well-developed, fast; fully automated telephone, telex, and data services

international

country code - 39; a series of submarine cables provide links to Asia, Middle East, Europe, North Africa, and US; satellite earth stations - 3 Intelsat (with a total of 5 antennas - 3 for Atlantic Ocean and 2 for Indian Ocean), 1 Inmarsat (Atlantic Ocean region), and NA Eutelsat (2015)

Telephones - fixed lines

20,267,172 33 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

33 (July 2016 est.)

total subscriptions

20,267,172

Telephones - mobile cellular

85,955,905 139 (July 2016 est.)

subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

139 (July 2016 est.)

total

85,955,905

Airports

129 (2013)

Airports - with paved runways

11 (2017)

1,524 to 2,437 m

18

2,438 to 3,047 m

31

914 to 1,523 m

29

over 3,047 m

9

total

98

under 914 m

11 (2017)

Airports - with unpaved runways

20 (2013)

1,524 to 2,437 m

1

914 to 1,523 m

10

total

31

under 914 m

20 (2013)

Civil aircraft registration country code prefix

I (2016)

Heliports

5 (2013)

Merchant marine

bulk carrier 105, cargo 42, carrier 1, chemical tanker 164, container 21, liquefied gas 28, passenger 25, passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 59, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 39, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 30 90 (Denmark 4, France 2, Greece 7, Luxembourg 14, Netherlands 2, Nigeria 1, Norway 6, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 13, Taiwan 10, Turkey 4, UK 2, US 23) 201 (Bahamas 1, Belize 3, Cayman Islands 7, Cyprus 6, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 4, Greece 5, Liberia 47, Malta 45, Marshall Islands 1, Morocco 1, Netherlands 6, Panama 25, Portugal 12, Russia 14, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Singapore 5, Slovakia 2, Spain 1, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UK 3, unknown 1) (2010)

by type

bulk carrier 105, cargo 42, carrier 1, chemical tanker 164, container 21, liquefied gas 28, passenger 25, passenger/cargo 154, petroleum tanker 59, refrigerated cargo 4, roll on/roll off 39, specialized tanker 9, vehicle carrier 30

foreign-owned

90 (Denmark 4, France 2, Greece 7, Luxembourg 14, Netherlands 2, Nigeria 1, Norway 6, Singapore 1, Sweden 1, Switzerland 13, Taiwan 10, Turkey 4, UK 2, US 23)

registered in other countries

201 (Bahamas 1, Belize 3, Cayman Islands 7, Cyprus 6, Georgia 2, Gibraltar 4, Greece 5, Liberia 47, Malta 45, Marshall Islands 1, Morocco 1, Netherlands 6, Panama 25, Portugal 12, Russia 14, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 4, Singapore 5, Slovakia 2, Spain 1, Sweden 5, Turkey 1, UK 3, unknown 1) (2010)

total

681

National air transport system

26,036,010 945,433,732 mt-km (2015)

annual freight traffic on registered air carriers

945,433,732 mt-km (2015)

annual passenger traffic on registered air carriers

26,036,010

inventory of registered aircraft operated by air carriers

382

number of registered air carriers

9

Pipelines

gas 20,223 km; oil 1,393 km; refined products 1,574 km (2013)

Ports and terminals

Augusta, Cagliari, Genoa, Livorno, Taranto, Trieste, Venice Melilli (Santa Panagia) oil terminal, Sarroch oil terminal Genoa (2,243,000), Gioia Tauro (3,512,000), La Spezia (1,300,000) (2015) La Spezia, Panigaglia, Porto Levante

container port(s) (TEUs)

Genoa (2,243,000), Gioia Tauro (3,512,000), La Spezia (1,300,000) (2015)

LNG terminal(s) (import)

La Spezia, Panigaglia, Porto Levante

major seaport(s)

Augusta, Cagliari, Genoa, Livorno, Taranto, Trieste, Venice

oil terminal(s)

Melilli (Santa Panagia) oil terminal, Sarroch oil terminal

Railways

20,181.7 km 18,770.1 km 1.435-m gauge (12,893.6 km electrified) 122.3 km 1.000-m gauge (122.3 km electrified); 1,289.3 km 0.950-m gauge (151.3 km electrified) (2014)

narrow gauge

122.3 km 1.000-m gauge (122.3 km electrified); 1,289.3 km 0.950-m gauge (151.3 km electrified) (2014)

standard gauge

18,770.1 km 1.435-m gauge (12,893.6 km electrified)

total

20,181.7 km

Roadways

487,700 km 487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2007)

paved

487,700 km (includes 6,700 km of expressways) (2007)

total

487,700 km

Waterways

2,400 km (used for commercial traffic; of limited overall value compared to road and rail) (2012)

Military branches

Italian Armed Forces: Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC), Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) (2015)

Italian Armed Forces

Army (Esercito Italiano, EI), Navy (Marina Militare Italiana, MMI), Italian Air Force (Aeronautica Militare Italiana, AMI), Carabinieri Corps (Arma dei Carabinieri, CC), Financial Guard (Guardia di Finanza) (2015)

Military expenditures

1.51% of GDP (2016) 1.39% of GDP (2015) 1.47% of GDP (2014) 1.59% of GDP (2013) 1.63% of GDP (2012)

Military service age and obligation

18-25 years of age for voluntary military service; women may serve in any military branch; Italian citizenship required; 1-year service obligation (2013)

Disputes - international

Italy's long coastline and developed economy entices tens of thousands of illegal immigrants from southeastern Europe and northern Africa

Illicit drugs

important gateway for and consumer of Latin American cocaine and Southwest Asian heroin entering the European market; money laundering by organized crime and from smuggling

Refugees and internally displaced persons

16,033 (Afghanistan); 14,336 (Somalia); 14,247 (Nigeria); 13,412 (Pakistan); 11,327 (Mali); 10,049 (Eritrea); 7,723 (Gambia); 5,805 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2016); 10,410 (Ukraine) (2017); note: estimate represents asylum applicants since Ukraine crisis began in 2014 until September 2017 701 (2016) 449,235 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015 - November 2017)

note

449,235 estimated refugee and migrant arrivals by sea (January 2015 - November 2017)

refugees (country of origin)

16,033 (Afghanistan); 14,336 (Somalia); 14,247 (Nigeria); 13,412 (Pakistan); 11,327 (Mali); 10,049 (Eritrea); 7,723 (Gambia); 5,805 (Cote d'Ivoire) (2016); 10,410 (Ukraine) (2017); note: estimate represents asylum applicants since Ukraine crisis began in 2014 until September 2017

stateless persons

701 (2016)