The latest rankings from the esteemed Sole 24 Ore have revealed significant shifts within Italy's quality of life, declaring Bergamo as the city with the best living conditions. For the first time since the rankings began, Bergamo has claimed the top spot, previously falling to 52nd place just four years ago during the difficult pandemic year of 2020.
According to the rankings published on December 16, 2023, the second and third spots are held by Trento and Bolzano, respectively. Both cities have been perennial favorites, but their positions reflect slight fluctuations: Trento improved from third to second, whereas Bolzano made remarkable gains, leaping from 13th to 3rd. Meanwhile, the other noticeable names within the top ten include Monza Brianza, Cremona, Udine, Verona, Vicenza, Bologna and the new entry, which ranks at tenth, is Fossombrone.
The Sole 24 Ore analysis is based on 90 certified indicators across six categories, including wealth and consumption, business and jobs, environment and services, demography and health, justice and safety, and culture and leisure. The comprehensive approach paints a detailed picture of the living conditions for residents across various regions.
Bergamo's ascent is particularly noteworthy, tying its recognition to key factors such as sports culture, healthcare resources, and urban environment. The province scored highest for the influx of patients seeking treatment, marking it as a highly regarded city for healthcare services. Specifically, it ranked first for its sports index, showcasing the presence of registered athletes and sports organizations. Despite its achievements, Bergamo ranked lower, at 23rd, for wealth and consumption metrics, highlighting areas requiring improvement.
Following close behind, Trento and Bolzano also boast rich histories as top living destinations. Historically, Trento has topped the charts twice since 1990, and this year, it leads national statistics for children, youth, and elderly quality of life, signifying its family-friendly attributes. Bolzano, renowned for its employment rate hovering near 80%, reported minimal increases in the cost of living. Still, the province has maintained its long-standing reputation as among the best places to live.
Conversely, larger metropolitan areas appear to be struggling. Milan, traditionally seen as Italy's economic powerhouse, slipped from eighth to twelfth place this year, primarily due to surging living costs. Rome fared even worse, tumbling from 35th to 59th. Analysts indicate this decline may tie back to increasing inequalities and rising crime rates, with Florence suffering similarly, descending 30 positions to 36th place.
Despite declining metrics, Bologna managed to sustain its position as the only large city within the top ten, landing at ninth. This continued strong showing indicates Bologna's stability within the rankings, but the loss of six spots from its previous year points toward potential vulnerabilities as urban centers face growing challenges.
Remarkably, the survey also emphasizes alarming trends within southern provinces, where several cities populate the bottom ranks. Notably, Reggio Calabria occupies the last place, and the spotlight on regions like Catania, Messina and Palermo suggests persistent issues requiring urgent attention. Although the economic growth indicators are slightly favorable, the overall quality of life continues to underperform compared to the northern provinces.
The overall findings confirm the increasing divide between northern and southern Italy, demonstrating the need for policies focused on addressing inequalities. The presence of new indicators examined, such as salary requirements for housing, underlines the financial stress citizens encounter, particularly within major metropolitan areas.
On the horizon, the data from Sole 24 Ore signifies more than just rankings; the survey has integrated themes connected to the United Nations' 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. This year’s edition collaborates with the Italian Alliance for Sustainable Development (ASviS) to examine quality of life indicators across the parameters linked to sustainable development goals, underlining the socio-economic dynamics shaping the cities.
Live discussions on these insights are set to take place at the event titled “Quality of Life 2024: Sustainable Wellbeing Trends,” which will feature speakers from various sectors, including government and academia. Interested participants may register to join the conversation virtually online.
With choices being greater than past years, citizens must reflect on how their environment adapts to new social realities, particularly as smaller provinces like Bergamo cement their positions as model regions. The annual rankings provide both encouragement for some, and caution for others as Italy continues to navigate its complex socio-economic fabric.
