Italian craftsmanship is often described as a world in decline, threatened by industrial production, demographic change and disappearing traditional trades. The numbers show that the sector has certainly undergone a major transformation, but they also suggest a more encouraging conclusion – Italian craftsmanship is evolving rather than simply vanishing.
Between 2008 and 2025, the number of artisan businesses in Italy fell from approximately 1.5 million to 1.22 million. Employment has also contracted significantly in several regions. Between 2015 and 2025, the national decline exceeded 25%, reaching 31.3% in Marche, 29.3% in Umbria, 28.7% in Emilia-Romagna and 28.4% in Piedmont.
