With the unification of 1861, the Italian state was born politically, within borders broadly similar to those we know today.
But political unification did not bring with it a shared destiny. In fact, just as Italy was being made, millions of Italians began to leave it.
Official stats start in 1876. Before 1861, individual migrations had already occurred for religious, economic or political reasons. But it was only after unification that mass emigration took shape—a phenomenon that would last more than a century and profoundly transform the country’s demography, economy, and collective memory.
The seasons of emigration
1876–1914 – The great departure
Millions of Italians headed for Argentina, Brazil, the United States, France and Switzerland.
They were driven by poverty, unemployment, demographic pressure, and at times political repression.
1919–1945 – The suspended years
Fascism sought to restrict departures.
Destination countries raised barriers.
Yet the exodus continued.
1946–1970 – Italy exports labour
With the Second World War behind it and a country in need of rebuilding, Italy signed bilateral agreements with Switzerland, Germany, Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and Venezuela.
In exchange for labour, it received foreign currency, coal, and raw materials.
It was the age of Italians in Belgian mines, German factories, and French working-class suburbs.
From 1980 to today – The brain drain
Manual labourers gave way to professionals.
Doctors, engineers, researchers and young graduates looked abroad for what Italy could no longer offer.
Destinations shifted—United Kingdom, Germany, Northern Europe, United States, Australia—but the urge to leave remained.
The scale of the exodus?
A crucial question, with a striking answer: a very high share of the population.
At certain points in history, more than one third of all Italians left the country—at least temporarily.
In cumulative terms, Italy ranked among the countries with the highest rate of emigration relative to its population.
In 1871, Italy had around 26 million inhabitants; by 1911, that number had grown to 35 million.
How many emigrated?
Between 1876 and 1976, more than 26 million Italians left the country.
Between 1876 and 1915 alone, over 14 million departed.
Most were young men of working age, which had a significant impact on the national economy and labour force.
Many emigrated temporarily—especially seasonal or cross-border workers—but a large proportion settled abroad for good.
For years, the remittances they sent home were a lifeline for Italy’s poorest regions.