Italy saw a significant presence of third-country workers, with nearly 2.4 million employed in the country, according to a report by the Italian Ministry of Labour and Social Policies. These workers, representing over 10% of Italy's workforce, generally earn less than their Italian counterparts. The report highlights that over 70% of these foreign workers occupy executive roles with professional attributes that result in 30% lower earnings compared to Italian employees.

The highest proportions of migrant workers are found in personal services (30.4%), agriculture (18%), catering and tourism (17.4%), construction (16.4%), and transport and warehouses (12.4%). The disparity in earnings contributes to significant economic challenges; over 33% of families made up exclusively of third-country nationals are experiencing absolute poverty, compared to more than 6% of Italian families.

The total number of third-country nationals residing in Italy, including those employed, reached 3.2 million. The most prevalent foreign nationalities in the Italian labor market are Moroccan, Albanian, Ukrainian, Chinese, and Indian.

Despite lower wages, foreign workers are crucial to addressing Italy's labor shortages. A report by the Union of Chambers of Commerce and the Ministry of Labour reveals that one in four job openings in Italy is aimed at foreign nationals. There is a notable increase in demand for foreign workers in the construction sector, with Italy planning to recruit 400 Tunisian construction workers in 2024 under a new agreement.

The  EURES report on labor shortages indicates that Italy is facing shortages in 37 professions, including manufacturing, healthcare, food service, and IT. The need for foreign workers is expected to grow due to factors like the aging population, with an estimated requirement of 280,000 overseas workers annually until 2050, according to the IDOS Study and Research Centre.