Country Profile: Italy

Italy, located in Southern Europe, is a predominantly mountainous peninsula extending into the central Mediterranean Sea, renowned for its rich history and cultural heritage. Home to approximately 60 million people, Italy boasts a diverse population and is known for its significant contributions to art, science, and cuisine. The Italian economy is characterized by a strong services sector, manufacturing, and tourism, although it faces challenges such as high public debt and regional economic disparities. Italy operates as a parliamentary republic, with a history of democratic governance since its transition from a monarchy in 1946.

Geography

Italy is situated in Southern Europe, forming a peninsula that juts into the central Mediterranean Sea. It covers an area of 301,340 sq km, including the islands of Sardinia and Sicily. The country features predominantly rugged terrain, with a climate that varies from Mediterranean in the coastal areas to alpine in the north.

Highest Point: Mont Blanc at 4,748 m.
Lowest Point: Mediterranean Sea at 0 m.
Land Borders: Shares 1,836.4 km of boundaries with Austria, France, and Switzerland, among others.
Coastline: 7,600 km of coastline.
Natural Resources: Includes coal, natural gas, and arable land.

People and Society

Italy has an estimated population of 60,964,931 as of 2024, featuring a median age of 48.4 years. The country is predominantly Italian, with small ethnic clusters including German, French, and Slovene communities. The main language is Italian, and the dominant religion is Christianity, with 80.8% identifying as Roman Catholic.

Urban Population: 72% of the total population lives in urban areas.
Life Expectancy: Average life expectancy is 83 years.
Birth Rate: 7.1 births per 1,000 population.
Literacy Rate: Overall literacy stands at 99.3%.

Economy

Italy's economy is classified as a high-income core EU economy, with a real GDP (PPP) of approximately $3.133 trillion in 2024. The economy is diversified, with services accounting for 65.6%, industry 21.7%, and agriculture 2% of GDP.

Real GDP Growth Rate: Estimated at 0.7% for 2024.
Unemployment Rate: Approximately 6.8% as of 2024.
Exports: Exports are projected at $778.898 billion for 2024.
Public Debt: High public debt levels with significant implications on fiscal policy.

Government

Italy is a parliamentary republic, with the capital city of Rome being the seat of government. The government consists of a bicameral legislature and an executive branch led by a president and a prime minister.

Current President: Sergio Mattarella (since February 3, 2015).
Current Prime Minister: Giorgia Meloni (since October 22, 2022).
Administrative Divisions: Comprises 15 regions and 5 autonomous regions.
Suffrage: Universal suffrage at 18 years of age.

Military and Security

The Italian Armed Forces comprise an army, navy, air force, and the Carabinieri Corps, with about 170,000 active-duty personnel. Italy has been an active NATO member since its formation.

Military Expenditures: Estimated at 1.5% of GDP in 2024.
Military Deployments: Approximately 8,000 personnel are deployed in various international missions.

Energy

Italy has achieved 100% electrification among its population and utilizes a diverse energy mix for electricity generation. The country consumes significant amounts of electricity, with a total consumption of 290.664 billion kWh.

Installed Capacity: Approximately 128.692 million kW in 2023.
Natural Gas Consumption: About 61.906 billion cubic meters in 2023.
Petroleum Production: Stands at 111,000 barrels/day in 2023.

Environment

Italy faces significant environmental challenges, including air and water pollution from industrial activities. It has committed to various international environmental agreements.

Carbon Dioxide Emissions: Total emissions estimated at 307.442 million metric tonnes in 2023.
Recycling Rate: Approximately 39.9% of municipal solid waste was recycled in 2022.
Natural Hazards: Risks include landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic activity.

Transportation

Italy features an extensive transportation network including railways, roads, and airports. The country has 655 airports and an extensive railway system.

Total Railways: 18,475 km of track, with 12,936 km electrified.
Merchant Marine: Comprises 1,276 vessels.

Communications

Italy has a developed communication infrastructure with high levels of telecommunication subscriptions and internet usage.

Internet Users: Approximately 87% of the population uses the internet.
Mobile Cellular Subscriptions: About 78.5 million subscriptions as of 2023.

Key Metrics

Metric	Value	Note
Population	60,964,931	Estimated for 2024
Area	301,340 sq km
GDP (PPP)	$3.133 trillion	Estimated for 2024
Unemployment Rate	6.8%	Estimated for 2024
Birth Rate	7.1 births/1,000	Estimated for 2024
Life Expectancy	83 years	Estimated for 2024
Urban Population	72%	As of 2023
Military Personnel	~170,000	Active-duty personnel
Electricity Access	100%	As of 2022
Carbon Dioxide Emissions	307.442 million metric tonnes	Estimated for 2023