One in three people reported to the police are foreign nationals: age and financial vulnerability are key factors

The proportion of foreign nationals in crime statistics (namely 35 per cent of those referred to the judicial authorities in 2025) is higher than the proportion of foreign nationals residing in the country as a whole: the foreign population in Italia accounts for 9.4 per cent of the total. ‘Crimes in Italy,’ observes Fasani, ‘are largely committed by males who are young, poorly educated and in a precarious financial situation; characteristics that are very common amongst the immigrant population, particularly those from specific countries.’

This vulnerability is also borne out by Istat figures: in 2024, foreign nationals accounted for 32 per cent of those living in absolute poverty in Italia, compared with an average rate of absolute poverty of 10 per cent of the total population in our country.

“By comparing individuals with the same characteristics, some academic studies have found that the immigrant population has a lower propensity for crime, perhaps partly because of the consequences this could have for their right to remain,” adds Fasani.

As regards the various types of offence, the highest proportion of foreign nationals reported is found in street crimes such as snatch theft (58.9 per cent), street robbery (59.1 per cent) and pickpocketing (71.2 per cent); whereas it falls to 5.4 per cent for bank robberies and 2.4 per cent for robberies at post offices. According to the professor, these offences have a more limited economic impact compared with other crimes, but they have a greater effect on people’s perception of safety, especially if they are repeated. ‘This could also lead to law enforcement paying greater attention to certain groups,’ he observes, ‘who are consequently checked more frequently.’

Among offences against the person, the proportion of foreign nationals reported or arrested stands at 43.4 per cent for sexual offences, 38.8 per cent for intentional bodily harm and 26.2 per cent for threats. “This may be due,” suggests Fasani, “to the higher proportion of young men within the foreign population, combined with frequent exposure to life on the streets,” particularly with regard to assaults in public spaces.

Age and gender are therefore part of the explanation, alongside economic circumstances. “For Italians as well as for foreigners,” the economist concludes, “poverty increases the risk of becoming involved in crime. Anything that improves living conditions helps to reduce that risk.”