From Cape Alba

Italy is increasingly changing its demographic profile. In a country that has been facing declining birth rates and an aging population for years, the presence of foreign citizens and the acquisition of Italian citizenship have become important indicators for understanding how Italian society is changing.

The latest ISTAT data shows a clear picture of this transformation.

Albanians in first place

According to data published by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), during 2025, around 196 thousand foreign citizens obtained Italian citizenship.
At the top of the ranking are citizens of Albanian origin, with around 26 thousand acquiring Italian citizenship.

Moroccan citizens are in second place, with around 23 thousand cases, while Romanians are in third place, with around 16 thousand.

These three communities alone account for a significant portion of all new citizenships granted in Italy during the year.

Fewer new citizenships compared to previous years

The total number of foreigners who acquired Italian citizenship in 2025 was lower than in the previous two years.

In 2024, around 217 thousand acquisitions of Italian citizenship were registered, while in 2023 around 214 thousand.

In 2025, the figure dropped to around 196 thousand.

However, the fact that the Albanian, Moroccan and Romanian communities continue to be at the top of the classification shows the weight and already consolidated roots of these communities in Italian society.

5,56 million foreign residents in Italy

Data updated on January 1, 2026 show that around 5,56 million foreign residents live in Italy, who make up around 9,4% of the total population.

These figures show that immigration has become an important element of the country's demographic structure.

From Albanian communities to Moroccan, Romanian and other communities, millions of people of foreign origin are now an inseparable part of Italy's social, economic and cultural life.

Albanian and Arabic, increasingly present

The demographic change is also reflected in everyday life. In various Italian cities, the languages ​​of immigrant communities are increasingly heard in schools, neighborhoods and public spaces. Many Albanian-language schools have been opened in various Italian municipalities and cities for the children of first and second generation immigrants.

The presence of foreign communities is no longer only linked to first-generation immigration. Many of the families have already been settled in Italy for decades and a large part of their children have been raised and educated in the country.

The increase in the number of citizens of foreign origin, along with the acquisition of Italian citizenship, is part of a broader transformation of Italian society.

In a country where the native population is aging and birth rates are at historically low levels, migration and the integration of foreign communities are playing an increasingly important role in Italy's demographic future.

Albanians, Moroccans and Romanians are among the communities that most clearly reflect this change. The acquisition of Italian citizenship by tens of thousands of people each year shows that a significant part of these communities are no longer simply temporary immigrants, but a permanent part of Italian society.