by InTrieste
The four provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia remained in positive territory in Italy’s latest quality-of-life index, though all experienced declines compared with the previous year. Milan once again claimed the top position, followed by Bolzano and Bologna, according to the annual survey by ItaliaOggi and Ital Communications, conducted in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome.
Trieste ranked 19th overall, slipping five places from last year. Gorizia recorded the region’s sharpest drop, falling from 26th to 52nd place, the lowest among the FVG provinces. Pordenone slid from 9th to 23rd, while Udine placed 25th.
The study evaluates nine sectors—business and employment, environment, education and training, demographics, crime and security, income and wealth, social services, health care, and tourism, entertainment and culture. The 2025 edition again highlights the persistent divide between central-northern Italy and the country’s southern and island regions.
Trieste ranked near the bottom in the security category, placing third-to-last and ahead only of Florence and Milan. Yet the city performed strongly in several other areas. It secured second place nationwide for tourism—an index that also measures cultural vitality—trailing only Bolzano. Gorizia also appeared among the leading provinces in this category.
In education and training, Udine and Trieste followed closely behind Bologna and Milan. Trieste placed seventh in income and wealth, earning a spot in the top ten, and registered a significant improvement in health care, rising from 54th to 27th place.
