European economic engine with a north-south divide

In terms of its gross domestic product (GDP), Italy is one of the ten major economies in the world. According to Statista, this southern European country ranked eighth in 2021, meaning that it was the third most successful EU Member State after Germany (4th) and France (7th). The list, based on GDP, is led by USA, China and Japan.

The economic geography of Italy is nevertheless marked by a north-south divide, the highly industrial north compared to the mainly agricultural regions of the south. This is evident when looking at the major trading regions of Italy and Germany (see below). Industrial regions in Italy are dominated by Lombardy, Veneto, Emilia-Romagna, Piedmont and Lazio. From a German perspective, the greatest volume of Italian goods land in Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg, North Rhine-Westphalia and Lower Saxony. (bre)

Italy’s busiest transshipment ports in terms of volume

Trieste – 55 m tonnes 100% 100%
Genoa – 49 m tonnes 89% 89%
Gioia Tauro – 39 m tonnes 70% 70%
Livorno – 34 m tonnes 61% 61%
Cagliari-Sarroch – 31 m tonnes 56% 56%

Source: Assoporti (Association of Italian Ports) 2022

Top five trade areas in Italy

Goods traded between Germany and Italy

1. Lombardy 47.6 bn euros
2. Veneto 20.6 bn euros
3. Emilia-Romagna 16.9 bn euros
4. Piedmont 12.4 bn euros
5. Lazio 9.4 bn euros

Top five trade areas in Germany

Goods traded between Italy and Germany

1. Bavaria 26.4 bn euros
2. Baden-Württemberg 26.3 bn euros
3. North Rhine-Westphalia 23.8 bn euros
4. Lower Saxony 10.1 bn euros
5. Hesse 8.6 bn euros

Source: German-Italian Chamber of Trade & Commerce 2022

Italy

Capital: Rome
Population in 2022: 59.2 m*
Total area: 302,068 km2
GDP per capita in 2022: US $34,777*

Main imports in 2021

Chemical products 16,8% 16,8%
Machinery 8,1% 8,1%
Motor vehicles and auto parts 7,7% 7,7%

Main exports in 2021

Machinery 18% 18%
Chemical products 14,4% 14,4%
Motor vehicles and auto parts 7,1% 7,1%

Main supplier countries in 2021

Germany 16,1% 16,1%
France 8,3% 8,3%
China 8,2% 8,2%

Main buyer countries in 2021

Germany 13,1% 13,1%
France 10,3% 10,3%
USA 9,5% 9,5%

German exports to Italy in 2021

Chemical products 21,6% 21,6%
Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts 13,1% 13,1%
Machinery 13% 13%

German imports from Italy in 2021

Chemical products 13,6% 13,6%
Machinery 13% 13%
Motor vehicles and motor vehicle parts 11% 11%

Source: GTAI 2022
*provisional figure, estimate/forecast
Photo: Port of Genoa

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