by InTrieste
In 2025, nearly three out of every 10 workers sought by employers in Friuli Venezia Giulia were expected to come from abroad, a share that effectively translated into one cross-border hire for every three new employees.
The figures reflect a long-established reliance on foreign labor in the regional economy. An analysis by CGIA di Mestre, based on data from Unioncamere, shows that the number of workers without Italian passports has risen steadily in recent years. Since 2017, their presence has grown by roughly 140 percent — an increase of about 19,000 people.
Even so, the pace of growth remains moderate compared with other parts of Italy: nationally, the fastest increase has been recorded in Basilicata, where foreign employment has roughly tripled over the same period.
The data underscores the expanding economic and social role of migrant workers across the country. “Regular foreign workers are an essential resource for Friuli Venezia Giulia,” said Paolo Zabeo of the CGIA research center. “Without them, agriculture, construction, logistics, restaurants and tourism would slow or struggle, with negative effects on production and the broader economy.”
Within the region, reliance on foreign labor varies widely by province. The highest concentration is in Gorizia — driven in part by the presence of the shipbuilding giant Fincantieri — where foreign workers account for nearly 40 percent of the workforce. The share stands at about 30 percent in Pordenone and just under 25 percent in Trieste. Udine has the lowest proportion in the region, at 23.6 percent.
Patterns also differ by origin and sector. Workers from Eastern Europe are heavily represented in domestic and caregiving roles; Africans are concentrated in construction and agriculture; migrants from South Asia often work in shipbuilding, livestock farming and food services; and Chinese workers are prominent in retail and restaurants. Non-European Union nationals, however, make up only about 14 percent of all foreign workers in the region.
