Key facts about Italy
5 to 10 facts that help explain what makes the country distinctive.
Two states enclosed within its territory
Vatican City and the Republic of San Marino are both entirely enclosed within Italian territory — two of the smallest states in the world.
Three active volcanoes under constant watch
Etna, Vesuvius and Stromboli are among the most active and most closely monitored volcanoes in the world, a direct consequence of Italy's position at the junction of the African and Eurasian plates.
The oldest population in the European Union
With a median age of 48.7 years as of January 1, 2024, Italy has the oldest population in the EU, the result of a persistently low birth rate.
The world's largest wine exporter
With 21.6 million hectolitres exported in 2023, Italy is the world's largest wine exporter by volume, ahead of Spain and France.
The country with the most EU-protected specialities
Italy ranks first in the European Union for the number of food and wine products with a protected geographical indication (PDO/PGI), with more than 850 recognised specialities in 2024.
The second-highest public debt in the euro area
With public debt equal to 135.3% of GDP at the end of 2024, Italy ranks second in the euro area for public debt, behind Greece.