Mezzogiorno continues to grow thanks to investments, Zes and Pnrr

The Mezzogiorno 2025 will continue to grow even more than other areas of the country, thanks mainly to investments and supportive public policies. The Check-up Mezzogiorno 2025, produced by Confindustria and SRM (a research centre linked to the Intesa Sanpaolo Group), provides an up-to-date picture of the state of health of the southern economy, portraying an area that, despite the still complex macroeconomic and geopolitical context characterised by elements of uncertainty, is showing signs of structural strengthening. The estimate for 2025 places the Mezzogiorno Index at 641.9, placing the area in the middle between the Centre (666.5) and the North (630). DAfter a slight slowdown in 2024, the Index returns to significant growth in 2025 (+6.1 points).

It should be noted that, starting with this edition, the Synthetic Index of the Southern Economy changes its methodological structure: while keeping the variables considered (GDP, investments, employment, enterprises and ex-ports) unchanged, the new Index takes 2014 as its base year and extends the territorial comparison between the South, the Centre and the North of the country. Well, the two study centres point out that, glooking at the entire historical series, it emerges that the South has recorded, compared to 2014, a more intense overall growth than that of the northern regions.

"In order to consolidate the growth phase and transform it into structural development," commented Natale Mazzuca, Confindustria Vice President for Strategic Policies for the Development of Southern Italy, "it is necessary to guarantee certainty of the rules, continuity of the instruments, and consistency of the policies, in a medium-long term vision. It is crucial to preserve and strengthen instruments that are working, starting with the Single Economic Zone for the South of Italy, and to address outstanding issues such as the ability to attract large enterprises, the strengthening of innovative supply chains, the territorial rebalancing of investments, and the construction of a clear strategy for the post-NRP phase. Only in this way, also with the contribution of the economic and social partnership, will it be possible to consolidate the 'Mezzogiorno Factor', to the benefit of the South and the Country".

"The Mezzogiorno Check-up," adds Massimo Deandreis, SRM Director General, "shows a clear change of pace in the growth trajectories of the Mezzogiorno, which between 2019 and 2024 recorded a GDP increase of +7.7%, about two percentage points higher than the national average. A stronger South today represents a key factor of competitiveness for Italia; moreover, in the new geo-economic context, the natural role of Southern Italy in the Euro-Mediterranean area as a production, infrastructure and energy hub can be enhanced, to the benefit of the entire country system".

Almost all other indicators are up or broadly stable compared to 2024, with investment increasing by a good 4.3 points. Moreover, all indicators are at levels above pre-pandemic levels, making up for the loss recorded in recent years. The GDP of the Mezzogiorno grows by +7.7% in the period 2019-2024, above the national average (+5.8%). In 2024 growth is 0.7%, with prospects for strengthening in 2026 thanks also to the implementation of the PNRR. Per capita GDP rises to 22 thousand euro, still well below the Italian average. The labour market shows a growth in employment of +0.8%, higher than the national figure, but critical issues related to labour costs and skills mismatch remain. The overcoming of 'Decontribuzione Sud' and the difficulties in applying the new phase require clear and consistent answers. The productive fabric continues to transform: while the overall number of companies has decreased slightly, in line with the rest of the country, the number of joint-stock companies has increased (+4.0%), a sign of a gradual strengthening of the productive structure. On the other hand, exports are more fragile, showing a phase of weakness in 2025, although manufacturing continues to represent the mainstay of southern exports, accounting for over 93%.