Italy

Italy has a large, diversified, advanced economy — among the world's biggest — split between a wealthy, industrialized north and a less-developed south.

A founding EU and eurozone member, Italy is renowned for design, fashion, and manufacturing excellence, especially among its many small and mid-sized family firms, though high public debt and sluggish growth are persistent concerns.

Key Sectors

Strengths include machinery and industrial equipment, motor vehicles, fashion and luxury goods, food and wine, chemicals and pharmaceuticals, and a vast tourism industry.