Bergamo has secured first place in the latest Sole 24 Ore Quality of Life Survey, marking a remarkable comeback since its struggles during the early days of the Covid-19 pandemic. This annual study assesses well-being across Italy’s 107 provinces using 90 indicators split into six categories: wealth and consumer spending, business and work, environment and services, demography, society and health, justice and security, and culture and free time.
The Lombardy province, which previously ranked 52nd in 2020 during the height of the pandemic, has climbed steadily to the top position in the 2024 survey. Notably, Bergamo’s win reflects not just recovery but resilience, highlighting a significant shift in the region’s economy and quality of life standards.
Northern Provinces Dominate
Bergamo claimed the top spot from Trento and Bolzano, two perennial performers in these rankings. Trento secured second place, while Bolzano surged ten positions to land in third. This upward movement was driven by strengths in demography, health, and society, as well as financial stability and employment opportunities.
The north-east of Italy continues to lead the rankings, with provinces like Monza and Brianza (4th) and Cremona (5th) contributing to the region’s dominance. Meanwhile, Udine retained positive performances from the previous year, holding its ground among the leaders.
The metropolitan areas, on the other hand, have suffered drops. Despite its historical strength, Milan fell four positions to land in 12th place. Florence slid from sixth to 36th, and Rome dropped 24 places, now sitting at 59th. Among other large cities, Turin also faced a significant fall, slipping to 58th place.
The trend is clear: the economic slowdown, increased costs of living, and housing affordability are pushing the major metropolitan areas down the rankings.
The South Sees Positive Change Amidst Struggles
While the South continues to occupy the lower ranks, with Reggio Calabria landing at the bottom (107th) and Naples in 106th, there are signs of economic growth. Palermo, Caltanissetta, and Nuoro have reported GDP per capita increases, a hopeful shift. Despite these small gains, the southern provinces still lag far behind their northern counterparts.
Urban areas like Messina and Catania also saw slow but steady improvements in certain economic sectors, driven by growing tourism and accessibility to affordable property options. While the gap remains, these indicators signal potential long-term change.
What’s Behind the Rankings?
The Sole 24 Ore Quality of Life Survey relies on 90 indicators across six categories:
- Wealth and Consumer Spending: Economic activity, incomes, and spending habits.
- Business and Work: Employment opportunities and work-life balance.
- Environment and Services: Quality of natural resources, green spaces, and services infrastructure.
- Demography, Society and Health: Health care access, population stability, and overall societal well-being.
- Justice and Security: Crime rates and citizens’ safety.
- Culture and Free Time: The availability of cultural resources and recreational opportunities.
Bergamo’s first-place position was bolstered by improvements across these categories, particularly in health, social welfare, and economic recovery. Trento and Bolzano also benefited from their high scores in demographic health and employment levels.
Meanwhile, metropolitan areas struggle with housing affordability, high inflation, and social inequality, leading to their significant drops in the rankings.
Top 10 Provinces in the Rankings
- Bergamo – 640.52
- Trento – 639.90
- Bolzano – 635.09
- Monza and Brianza – 632.50
- Cremona – 626.33
- Udine – 625.12
- · Verona – 624.48
- · Vicenza – 622.09
- · Bologna – 621.99
- · Ascoli Piceno – 620.07
The Bottom 10 on the Quality of Life rankings
The south dominates the bottom of the Quality of Life rankings. The bottom 10 are:
- 98 Caltanissetta
- 99 Foggia
- 100 Palermo
- 101 Caserta
- 102 Cosenza
- 103 Vibo Valentina
- 104 Syracuse
- 105 Croton
- 106 Naples
- 107 Reggio Calabria
Metropolitan Struggles: A Changing Urban Landscape
Metropolitan areas like Rome, Florence, and Milan are seeing a shift in their socio-economic landscapes. With increasing living costs, rent burdens, and reduced GDP growth, these large cities are no longer as dominant as they were in previous editions of the survey.
Rental costs are an increasing burden, especially in Rome, where the cost of renting a 100-square-metre apartment in a semi-central area consumes as much as 81% of the average monthly income. In contrast, areas such as Trapani and Chieti report much lower costs, at just 13% of income. These disparities highlight an ongoing urban-rural divide that is reshaping living standards across Italy.
Additionally, the Crime Index—which measures the number of complaints filed in a province relative to its population—has impacted urban centres’ positions. Tourist-heavy cities are especially disadvantaged by these statistics, as their large transient populations skew these crime measurements.
In summary
The 2024 Sole 24 Ore Quality of Life Survey provides a snapshot of Italy’s socio-economic recovery post-pandemic. Bergamo’s ascent to the top reflects both recovery and resilience after its early struggles with Covid-19. Meanwhile, the north-east continues to dominate the rankings, driven by a mix of employment opportunities, economic stability, and infrastructure improvements.
Conversely, the decline of metropolitan areas signals the complex challenges these cities face: inflation, affordability, crime rates, and economic shifts. However, a slow economic turnaround in southern regions suggests the potential for a more equitable distribution of opportunities across the peninsula.
Sources: Sole 24 Ore research, Istat, Agcom, Banca d’Italia
