Bangladeshis rise to top three in Italy’s migration boom
In the narrow streets of Rome’s Tor Pignattara or the bustling markets of Milan, Bangladeshi voices have become as common as the scent of espresso.
Once a modest migrant group in Italy, Bangladeshis now rank among the top three nationalities securing residence permits, marking a quiet but profound demographic shift across the Mediterranean nation.
The finding comes from the 34th Caritas-Migrantes Migration Report titled titled “Youth of Foreign Origin: Transformation and Prospects of Italy,”, which paints a vivid portrait of a changing Italy – one where 5.4 million foreign residents, nearly 10 per cent of the total population, are reshaping both the economy and social life. And at the heart of that change is the Bangladeshi community, growing not only in numbers but in influence.
Italy’s foreign population is largely concentrated in the central and northern regions, where employment opportunities are higher. However, the report notes that irregular migrants face unstable housing conditions, often depending on local support networks or informal accommodations.
A rising Bangladeshi footprint
Bangladesh now joins Romania and Morocco among the top countries sending migrants to Italy, surpassing several traditional source nations. Within just two years, the number of Bangladeshis receiving residence permits has surged, reflecting both labour mobility and family reunification trends.
Bangladeshi migrants are increasingly contributing to Italy’s labour market, where foreign workers make up 10.5 percent of the total workforce — roughly 2.5 million people. In 2024 alone, 2.67 million job contracts were registered for foreign citizens, a 5.8 percent rise from the previous year.
“Bangladeshis are not only part of Italy’s service and construction sectors but are also emerging as entrepreneurs and community organisers,” said a spokesperson for Caritas, noting that many younger Bangladeshis are entering education and small business.
A new generation in Italian schools
In the 2023–24 academic year, Italy recorded nearly one million foreign students (910,984) — about 11.5 percent of all pupils. Many of these children were born in Italy to Bangladeshi parents and identify strongly with Italian culture, though they are not yet eligible for citizenship.
Demographically, foreign families are helping sustain Italy’s declining birth rate. Of the 370,000 births recorded in 2024, 21 percent had at least one foreign parent — evidence, the report notes, of migrant families’ “constructive contribution to Italy’s demographic renewal.”
Integration and opportunity
Experts say the Bangladesh community has adapted quickly to Italian society, with a visible presence in cities like Rome, Milan, and Venice, as well as smaller northern towns. Many Bangladeshis work in retail, logistics, hospitality, and agriculture, while community organisations play a growing role in cultural and social integration.
Despite challenges such as housing shortages and labour inequality, the Caritas–Migrantes report underscores that foreigners — and particularly Bangladeshis — are vital to Italy’s economic stability and demographic future.
“Bangladeshis have become an integral part of Italy’s social fabric,” said Dr. Fabio Baggio, co-director of the Migrantes Foundation. “Their contribution extends beyond labour — it’s about rejuvenating local economies and communities.”