Italy’s manufacturing economy is still defined by scale and specialization, from 3.72 million people working in plants nationwide to a €251.6 billion export machine. Yet the workforce picture is uneven, with women making up 28.4% of manufacturing employment and youth employment (15 to 29) slipping to 12.1%, while productivity rises to €52,400 per worker. The resulting mix of innovation spending, sector winners, and shifting labor costs makes the full dataset worth a closer look.
Key Takeaways
- Italy's manufacturing employment totaled 3.72 million in 2022, down 0.8% from 2021
- Manufacturing workforce in Lombardy region: 850,000 employees in 2022
- Average hourly labor cost in manufacturing €28.5 in 2022, up 4.2%
- Italy's manufacturing exports totaled €251.6 billion in 2022, up 11.8%
- Machinery exports from Italy €57.2 billion in 2022, 22.7% of total manufacturing exports
- Automotive exports €51.4 billion in 2022, growth 14.2%
- R&D expenditure in manufacturing €18.4 billion in 2022, 6.2% of total GDP R&D
- Private investment in manufacturing tangible goods €45.2 billion in 2022, up 8.1%
- Public funding for manufacturing innovation €2.8 billion via PNRR in 2022-2026
- In 2022, Italy's manufacturing production index stood at 105.3 (2015=100), marking a 1.8% increase from 2021
- The manufacturing sector contributed 15.8% to Italy's GDP in 2022, amounting to €297.5 billion
- Industrial production in Italy grew by 2.1% year-over-year in Q4 2023, driven by machinery and metal products
- Automotive components sector share 18% of manufacturing output in 2022
- Mechanical engineering 28% of manufacturing value added in 2022, €82.4 billion
- Chemicals and pharma 17.5% of manufacturing GDP contribution 2022
Italy’s manufacturing workforce slipped slightly in 2022, while exports surged to record levels.
Related reading
Employment Statistics
1Italy's manufacturing employment totaled 3.72 million in 2022, down 0.8% from 2021
Verified
2Manufacturing workforce in Lombardy region: 850,000 employees in 2022
Verified
3Average hourly labor cost in manufacturing €28.5 in 2022, up 4.2%
Verified
4Female employment in manufacturing 28.4% of total in 2022
Verified
5Youth employment (15-29) in manufacturing 12.1% in 2022, down 1.5%
Verified
6Temporary contracts in manufacturing 15.7% of workforce in 2022
Verified
7Manufacturing R&D personnel 145,000 in 2022
Verified
8Apprenticeships in manufacturing 180,000 in 2022, growth 8.2%
Verified
9Unemployment rate in manufacturing sector 5.2% in 2022
Directional
10Part-time workers in manufacturing 14.3% in 2022
Verified
11Skilled workers (high qualification) 32.6% in manufacturing 2022
Verified
12Machinery sector employment 1.1 million in 2022
Verified
13Automotive manufacturing jobs 250,000 in 2022, down 3.1%
Verified
14Chemical industry workforce 190,000 in 2022
Verified
15Food manufacturing employees 400,000 in 2022
Verified
16Textile employment 350,000 in 2022, decline 4.5%
Single source
17Metalworking jobs 780,000 in 2022
Verified
18Electronics manufacturing employment 220,000 in 2022
Verified
19Furniture sector workforce 320,000 in 2022
Verified
20Pharmaceutical employees 65,000 in 2022, +5.8%
Verified
21Plastics industry jobs 180,000 in 2022
Verified
22Steel sector employment 35,000 in 2022, down 7.2%
Verified
23Ceramics workforce 75,000 in 2022
Verified
24Leather goods jobs 65,000 in 2022
Directional
25Shipbuilding employment 18,000 in 2022
Verified
26Aerospace jobs 45,000 in 2022, +12.5%
Verified
27Average manufacturing wage €32,100 annually in 2022
Verified
28Labor productivity in manufacturing €52,400 per worker in 2022, up 2.3%
Verified
29Manufacturing absenteeism rate 6.8% in 2022
Verified
Employment Statistics Interpretation
Italy's manufacturing sector presents a picture of resilient, high-cost craftsmanship where productivity is rising and apprenticeships are flourishing, yet it grapples with an aging, predominantly male workforce in traditional industries while futuristic sectors like aerospace soar.
More related reading
Export and Import Data
1Italy's manufacturing exports totaled €251.6 billion in 2022, up 11.8%
Verified
2Machinery exports from Italy €57.2 billion in 2022, 22.7% of total manufacturing exports
Verified
3Automotive exports €51.4 billion in 2022, growth 14.2%
Verified
4Pharmaceutical exports €34.8 billion in 2022, +18.6%
Single source
5Chemical products exports €28.9 billion in 2022
Verified
6Food and beverage exports €52.1 billion in 2022, up 10.3%
Verified
7Textiles and apparel exports €23.7 billion in 2022, decline 1.2%
Verified
8Metal products exports €45.6 billion in 2022, +12.4%
Single source
9Electrical equipment exports €32.1 billion in 2022
Directional
10Furniture exports €13.8 billion in 2022, +9.7%
Directional
11Plastics exports €12.4 billion in 2022, up 6.5%
Verified
12Leather goods exports €6.2 billion in 2022
Verified
13Ceramics exports €5.1 billion in 2022, +4.8%
Verified
14Steel exports €12.7 billion in 2022, down 5.3%
Single source
15Shipbuilding exports €4.5 billion in 2022
Single source
16Aerospace exports €10.2 billion in 2022, +15.1%
Verified
17EU accounted for 58.4% of Italy's manufacturing exports in 2022
Verified
18USA share of manufacturing imports 8.7% in 2022, value €28.4 billion
Verified
19China manufacturing imports €45.2 billion in 2022, +7.6%
Directional
20Germany manufacturing trade surplus with Italy €15.3 billion in 2022
Verified
21France imports from Italy manufacturing €32.6 billion in 2022
Single source
22Manufacturing trade balance surplus €45.8 billion in 2022
Verified
23Wine machinery exports €1.2 billion in 2022
Verified
24Luxury goods manufacturing exports €18.4 billion in 2022
Verified
25Italy's manufacturing imports €206.3 billion in 2022, up 16.2%
Verified
26Energy-intensive goods imports €42.7 billion in 2022
Single source
Export and Import Data Interpretation
While Italy’s industrial engine hums along brilliantly, exporting everything from fine wine machinery to pharmaceuticals and proving it's far more than just a pretty boot, its persistent trade deficit with Germany and growing dependence on imported energy reveal a serious Achilles' heel wrapped in a Brioni suit.
Investment and R&D
1R&D expenditure in manufacturing €18.4 billion in 2022, 6.2% of total GDP R&D
Single source
2Private investment in manufacturing tangible goods €45.2 billion in 2022, up 8.1%
Verified
3Public funding for manufacturing innovation €2.8 billion via PNRR in 2022-2026
Verified
4Patent applications from manufacturing firms 12,500 in 2022
Verified
5Venture capital in manufacturing tech €1.9 billion in 2022
Directional
6Machinery sector R&D spend €4.2 billion (8.7% of turnover) in 2022
Verified
7Automotive R&D investment €5.1 billion in 2022
Directional
8Pharma R&D €4.8 billion in 2022, 9.2% of sales
Directional
9Green tech investment in manufacturing €3.2 billion in 2022
Verified
10Digital transformation investments €6.7 billion in 2022
Verified
11AI adoption R&D in manufacturing €0.85 billion in 2022
Directional
12Robotics investments €1.4 billion in 2022
Verified
13Number of manufacturing startups 2,450 in 2022
Verified
14Tax incentives claimed for R&D €12.3 billion credit in 2022
Verified
15Collaborations with universities for manufacturing R&D: 4,200 projects in 2022
Verified
16Energy efficiency investments €2.9 billion in 2022
Directional
17Circular economy R&D €1.1 billion in 2022
Directional
18Biotech manufacturing R&D €0.76 billion in 2022
Directional
19Nanotech investments in manuf. €0.32 billion 2022
Verified
20FDI in manufacturing €14.5 billion in 2022
Directional
21Mezzogiorno manufacturing investment €8.2 billion in 2022
Verified
22North Italy manufacturing capex €32.4 billion in 2022
Verified
23SMEs R&D participation 68% of manufacturing firms in 2022
Verified
Investment and R&D Interpretation
Italy's manufacturing heart is beating with impressive vigor, investing heavily in its future, but its public funding for innovation remains the equivalent of trying to win a Formula One race with a government-subsidied Vespa.
More related reading
Production Volume and Growth
1In 2022, Italy's manufacturing production index stood at 105.3 (2015=100), marking a 1.8% increase from 2021
Verified
2The manufacturing sector contributed 15.8% to Italy's GDP in 2022, amounting to €297.5 billion
Verified
3Industrial production in Italy grew by 2.1% year-over-year in Q4 2023, driven by machinery and metal products
Verified
4Italy produced 1.74 million tons of steel in 2022, down 8.5% from 2021 due to energy costs
Single source
5Manufacturing turnover in Italy reached €1.12 trillion in 2022, up 18.4% from 2021
Verified
6The production index for consumer goods in manufacturing was 102.4 in 2023 (2020=100)
Directional
7Italy's cement production totaled 22.8 million tons in 2022, a 4.2% decline
Verified
8Chemical manufacturing output grew 3.7% in 2022 to €65.4 billion
Verified
9Automotive production in Italy was 795,857 vehicles in 2022, down 16.6%
Verified
10Machinery production value hit €48.2 billion in 2022, up 12.1%
Verified
11Food and beverage manufacturing output index at 110.2 in 2022 (2015=100)
Directional
12Textile and apparel production declined 5.3% in 2022 to €28.1 billion
Directional
13Plastic and rubber products output grew 4.8% to €18.7 billion in 2022
Verified
14Electrical equipment manufacturing value €22.4 billion in 2022, up 7.2%
Verified
15Furniture production reached €21.5 billion in 2022, +9.4%
Verified
16Pharmaceutical manufacturing turnover €52.3 billion in 2022, growth 13.5%
Single source
17Metal products excl. machinery output €75.6 billion, +10.2% in 2022
Directional
18Paper and paper products production 8.9 million tons in 2022
Verified
19Glass and ceramics output value €15.2 billion, +6.1% in 2022
Single source
20Leather goods manufacturing €6.8 billion in 2022, down 2.1%
Verified
21Shipbuilding output 1.2 million gross tons in 2022
Single source
22Railway vehicles production value €3.4 billion in 2022
Single source
23Aerospace manufacturing turnover €15.1 billion in 2022, +14.3%
Verified
24Rubber tire production 85.6 million units in 2022
Single source
25Aluminum production 450,000 tons in 2022
Directional
26Printing and reproduction services €12.7 billion in 2022
Single source
27Tobacco manufacturing €7.2 billion, stable in 2022
Verified
28Jewelry and watches output €8.9 billion in 2022, +5.6%
Verified
29Sports goods manufacturing €2.1 billion in 2022
Directional
30Musical instruments production €0.45 billion in 2022
Verified
Production Volume and Growth Interpretation
Italy's manufacturing sector in 2022 was a classic tale of two factories: while its overall production and turnover grew robustly, this masked a dramatic internal reshuffle where energy-hungry heavyweights like steel and automotive slumped, while clever, high-value sectors like machinery, pharmaceuticals, and furniture energetically picked up the pace and profits.
More related reading
Sector Breakdown
1Automotive components sector share 18% of manufacturing output in 2022
Verified
2Mechanical engineering 28% of manufacturing value added in 2022, €82.4 billion
Single source
3Chemicals and pharma 17.5% of manufacturing GDP contribution 2022
Directional
4Food processing 12.3% of manufacturing employment and output 2022
Verified
5Textiles, clothing, leather 9.8% of exports from manufacturing 2022
Verified
6Metals basic and fabricated 16.2% of production index 2022
Verified
7Electrical and electronics 9.4% of manufacturing turnover 2022
Verified
8Furniture and other wood 7.2% of manufacturing output 2022
Verified
9Plastics and rubber 6.5% share of manufacturing value 2022
Verified
10Non-metallic minerals (ceramics, glass) 5.8% of output 2022
Verified
11Transport equipment excl. auto 4.1% of manufacturing 2022
Single source
12Aerospace and rail 2.3% specialized manufacturing 2022
Single source
13Paper products 3.2% of manufacturing employment 2022
Verified
14Luxury goods (jewelry, fashion accessories) 2.7% high-value manuf. 2022
Verified
15Steel subsector 1.8% of total manufacturing production 2022
Single source
16Shipbuilding niche 0.9% but high export intensity 2022
Verified
17Printing and publishing 2.4% service-manuf hybrid 2022
Verified
18Tires and rubber products 1.5% specialized 2022
Verified
19Cement and lime 1.2% energy-intensive manuf 2022
Directional
20Wine and beverage machinery 1.1% niche leader 2022
Verified
21Medical devices manufacturing 3.6% growing sector 2022
Directional
22Cosmetics and perfumery €12.4 billion turnover 2022, 4.2% share
Verified
23Tobacco products 0.8% regulated sector 2022
Verified
24Sports equipment 0.6% consumer goods manuf 2022
Verified
25Musical instruments 0.2% artisanal excellence 2022
Verified
Sector Breakdown Interpretation
While Italy's manufacturing might be famously held aloft by the gears of mechanical engineering (€82.4 billion strong) and propelled by automotive components, its true genius lies in stitching together this robust industrial spine with the artisanal flair of textiles, the nourishing craft of food processing, and the intoxicating allure of perfumery and luxury into a remarkably balanced and stylish economic ensemble.
How We Rate Confidence
Models
Every statistic is queried across four AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, Gemini, Perplexity). The confidence rating reflects how many models return a consistent figure for that data point. Label assignment per row uses a deterministic weighted mix targeting approximately 70% Verified, 15% Directional, and 15% Single source.
Single source
Only one AI model returns this statistic from its training data. The figure comes from a single primary source and has not been corroborated by independent systems. Use with caution; cross-reference before citing.
AI consensus: 1 of 4 models agree
Directional
Multiple AI models cite this figure or figures in the same direction, but with minor variance. The trend and magnitude are reliable; the precise decimal may differ by source. Suitable for directional analysis.
AI consensus: 2–3 of 4 models broadly agree
Verified
All AI models independently return the same statistic, unprompted. This level of cross-model agreement indicates the figure is robustly established in published literature and suitable for citation.
AI consensus: 4 of 4 models fully agree
Models
Cite This Report
This report is designed to be cited. We maintain stable URLs and versioned verification dates. Copy the format appropriate for your publication below.
APA
Isabelle Moreau. (2026, February 13). Italy Manufacturing Industry Statistics. Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italy-manufacturing-industry-statistics
MLA
Isabelle Moreau. "Italy Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux, 13 Feb 2026, https://gitnux.org/italy-manufacturing-industry-statistics.
Chicago
Isabelle Moreau. 2026. "Italy Manufacturing Industry Statistics." Gitnux. https://gitnux.org/italy-manufacturing-industry-statistics.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ECec.europa.eu
ec.europa.eu
- Reference 2ISTATistat.it
istat.it
- Reference 3WORLDSTEELworldsteel.org
worldsteel.org
- Reference 4CEFICcefic.org
cefic.org
- Reference 5FEDERCHIMICAfederchimica.it
federchimica.it
- Reference 6ANFIAanfia.it
anfia.it
- Reference 7UCIMUucimu.it
ucimu.it
- Reference 8SISTEMAMODAITALIAsistemamodaitalia.com
sistemamodaitalia.com
- Reference 9ASSOCOMPLASTassocomplast.org
assocomplast.org
- Reference 10ANIEanie.it
anie.it
- Reference 11FEDERLEGNOARREDOfederlegnoarredo.it
federlegnoarredo.it
- Reference 12FARMINDUSTRIAfarmindustria.it
farmindustria.it
- Reference 13ASSOCARTAassocarta.it
assocarta.it
- Reference 14CONFINDUSTRIACERAMICHEconfindustriaceramiche.it
confindustriaceramiche.it
- Reference 15CONFINDUSTRIAITALIAconfindustriaitalia.com
confindustriaitalia.com
- Reference 16ASSONAUTICAassonautica.it
assonautica.it
- Reference 17UNIRAILunirail.it
unirail.it
- Reference 18AIADaiad.it
aiad.it
- Reference 19ASSOPNEUMATICIassopneumatici.it
assopneumatici.it
- Reference 20CIFAcifa.it
cifa.it
- Reference 21ACIMGAacimga.it
acimga.it
- Reference 22FEDERAZIONE-TABACCOfederazione-tabacco.it
federazione-tabacco.it
- Reference 23CONFINDUSTRIAMODENATORINOconfindustriamodenatorino.it
confindustriamodenatorino.it
- Reference 24FISGfisg.it
fisg.it
- Reference 25ASSOMUSICAassomusica.it
assomusica.it
- Reference 26REGIONEregione.lombardia.it
regione.lombardia.it
- Reference 27ANPALanpal.gov.it
anpal.gov.it
- Reference 28FEDERALIMENTAREfederalimentare.it
federalimentare.it
- Reference 29ASSOMETassomet.it
assomet.it
- Reference 30FEDERACCIAIfederacciai.it
federacciai.it
- Reference 31UNICONSunicons.it
unicons.it
- Reference 32CONFINDUSTRIAconfindustria.it
confindustria.it
- Reference 33DESTATISdestatis.de
destatis.de
- Reference 34INSEEinsee.fr
insee.fr
- Reference 35MIMITmimit.gov.it
mimit.gov.it
- Reference 36UIBMuibm.gov.it
uibm.gov.it
- Reference 37ITALIANVCitalianvc.it
italianvc.it
- Reference 38INVITALIAinvitalia.it
invitalia.it
- Reference 39AGENZIAENTRATEagenziaentrate.gov.it
agenziaentrate.gov.it
- Reference 40MIURmiur.gov.it
miur.gov.it
- Reference 41GSEgse.it
gse.it
- Reference 42CONOEconoe.it
conoe.it
- Reference 43ASSOBIOTECassobiotec.it
assobiotec.it
- Reference 44NANOTECnanotec.it
nanotec.it
- Reference 45ICEice.it
ice.it
- Reference 46SVIMEZsvimez.it
svimez.it
- Reference 47CONFINDUSTRIA-MODAconfindustria-moda.it
confindustria-moda.it
- Reference 48FERRITEferrite.it
ferrite.it
- Reference 49ANICAManicam.it
anicam.it
- Reference 50UCIMAucima.it
ucima.it
- Reference 51ASSOBIOMEDICAassobiomedica.it
assobiomedica.it
- Reference 52COSMETICAITALIAcosmeticaitalia.it
cosmeticaitalia.it