Renaissance of Made in Italy – At the beginning of 2025, the Italian economy shows signs of resilience, with GDP growth expected to reach 1.0%, slightly improving from +0.7% in 2024. This recovery is supported by stable domestic demand and a recovery in exports.
Growth Sectors
Fashion and Haute Couture: The Italian fashion industry continues to thrive, representing a significant percentage of the global luxury market. Brands such as Gucci, Prada and Armani maintain a strong international presence, contributing significantly to the national economy.
Design and Furnishing: Italian design is synonymous with timeless aesthetics and quality craftsmanship. In 2024, Italian furniture exports grew strongly, reflecting the continued global demand for innovative and functional Italian design.
Automotive and Motorsport: The Italian automotive industry, with brands such as Ferrari and Lamborghini, continues to dominate the sector, with a growing global demand for prestige vehicles and high performance. Stellantis has announced an investment of 2 billion euros in Italy in 2025, with the aim of increasing production and introducing new models.
Agri-food: The agri-food sector accounts for almost a quarter of national GDP. In the first half of 2023, the Italian food sector reached a value of 580 billion euros, with about 4 million workers engaged in 740 thousand farms and 70 thousand food industries.
Technology and Innovation: Made in Italy is becoming a leader in advanced technology sectors, such as electronics, life science and aerospace. In 2023, these industries reached exports to the US for 6.7 billion dollars, with a growth of 68% in the first eight months of 2024.
Outlook for 2025
The forecast is for a 4.5% growth in exports of Made in Italy in 2025, with a greater penetration in emerging markets such as Asia, Africa and Latin America. The growing global interest in sustainable products represents a competitive advantage for Made in Italy, especially in the agro-food, fashion and design sectors.
However, significant challenges remain, including a shortage of skilled labour. At present, 49.4% of enterprises have difficulties in finding skilled labour, with peaks of 66.9% in manufacturing.
In addition, the Italian manufacturing industry has registered a contraction for the tenth consecutive month in January, with an PMI index at 46.3, indicating a phase of slowdown that requires attention.
Despite these challenges, Italy continues to be a major player in the global economic landscape, with key sectors driving growth and a consolidated reputation for quality and innovation.
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