Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Immigration in Italy - Statistics & Facts
With its central position in the Mediterranean, Italy receives the highest number of immigrants arriving in Europe from North Africa by sea. The journey is full of risks due to weather conditions and precarious makeshift boats. Globally, the Mediterranean consistently ranks as the deadliest migration route, with over 2,300 deaths recorded in 2024. Moreover, the absence of a land border makes policing activities more difficult and expensive for Italian authorities. These factors have generated a large debate about Italy's capacity to manage such migratory pressure given the limited resources allocated, the lack of adequate facilities for hosting migrants, and the overcrowding of those currently in operation.
Even as more migrants have applied for and been successfully granted refugee status in Italy in recent years, the perception of the real size of the immigrant population is exaggerated. Hence, anti-immigration parties have increased their support during the same period, campaigning for a hard border in the Mediterranean and for the deportation of undocumented migrants. The government has recently adopted new policies, collaborating with North African countries to reduce departures, and with Albania to externally process asylum applications; yet these measures were met with widespread condemnation.
Over the years, the number of applications for obtaining international protection in Italy increased, and more and more people were granted refugee status in the country: in 2023, 11,315 requests were accepted, mostly from Afghan, Nigerian, and Pakistani asylum seekers. Additionally the share of residence permits issued for humanitarian reasons reached 32 percent in 2023, while it was only 16 percent in 2019.
Between 2018 and 2019, Matteo Salvini’s League gained large approval after enacting a closed borders policy to limit immigration from the Mediterranean. Most recently, Brothers of Italy won the 2022 general elections with a commitment to prevent undocumented migrants to land on Italian shores. Giorgia Meloni’s government negotiated stronger partnerships with North African countries for controlling departures and opened centers for hosting asylum seekers in Albania. While arrivals by sea in 2024 drastically dropped compared to 2023, more than half of Italians disapprove of the government’s immigration policy, with raising concerns about migrants’ human rights. New EU policies are needed to manage immigration flows, as harmonized procedures could guarantee that asylum seekers fully enjoy their internationally recognized rights.
Even as more migrants have applied for and been successfully granted refugee status in Italy in recent years, the perception of the real size of the immigrant population is exaggerated. Hence, anti-immigration parties have increased their support during the same period, campaigning for a hard border in the Mediterranean and for the deportation of undocumented migrants. The government has recently adopted new policies, collaborating with North African countries to reduce departures, and with Albania to externally process asylum applications; yet these measures were met with widespread condemnation.
Increased asylum grants
After the peak recorded in 2016, migrants arriving by sea gradually decreased each year. In 2024, 66,317 immigrants reached the country, 60 percent less compared to 2023. Data on the nationalities declared upon arrival reveal that Bangladesh, Syria, Tunisia, and Egypt were the four most common countries of origin in 2024.Over the years, the number of applications for obtaining international protection in Italy increased, and more and more people were granted refugee status in the country: in 2023, 11,315 requests were accepted, mostly from Afghan, Nigerian, and Pakistani asylum seekers. Additionally the share of residence permits issued for humanitarian reasons reached 32 percent in 2023, while it was only 16 percent in 2019.
The true size and fears of immigration
The relatively high migratory pressure created large concerns among the Italian population. In recent years, the share of citizens believing immigration threatens public security increased up to 46 percent, while the perception of the size of the immigrant population does not correspond to the actual figures. These fears have been collected by anti-immigration political parties that increased their share of votes.Between 2018 and 2019, Matteo Salvini’s League gained large approval after enacting a closed borders policy to limit immigration from the Mediterranean. Most recently, Brothers of Italy won the 2022 general elections with a commitment to prevent undocumented migrants to land on Italian shores. Giorgia Meloni’s government negotiated stronger partnerships with North African countries for controlling departures and opened centers for hosting asylum seekers in Albania. While arrivals by sea in 2024 drastically dropped compared to 2023, more than half of Italians disapprove of the government’s immigration policy, with raising concerns about migrants’ human rights. New EU policies are needed to manage immigration flows, as harmonized procedures could guarantee that asylum seekers fully enjoy their internationally recognized rights.
