A Decade Long Export Climb Reshapes Italy’s Economic Position
Italy has reached a milestone that few would have predicted a decade ago. According to data cited by Les Echos and confirmed by international organisations, Italy has overtaken Japan to become the fourth-largest exporter in the world, ranking behind only China, the United States and Germany.
The shift was confirmed using seasonally adjusted figures in current dollars, drawing on data from the OECD and the World Trade Organization. By the third quarter of 2025, Italian exports had surpassed those of Japan, consolidating a trend already visible the year before.
A decade-long climb
Just ten years ago, Italy ranked seventh globally for exports. Since then, it has steadily climbed the table, achieving one of the strongest performances among advanced industrial economies. Today, exports account for around 40 percent of Italy’s GDP, underlining how central foreign markets have become to the country’s economic model.
This rise has also strengthened Italy’s position within Europe. It is now the second-largest exporter in the EU, behind Germany, reinforcing its role as a key manufacturing and trading power on the continent.
The strength of the Italian model
At the heart of this success lies Italy’s distinctive productive structure. Thousands of small and medium-sized enterprises, often clustered in highly specialised industrial districts, export high-value goods across a wide range of sectors, from machinery and pharmaceuticals to food, fashion and design. These firms are deeply rooted locally but operate globally, combining flexibility, craftsmanship and technological know-how.
Another factor has been market diversification. Italian exporters have expanded well beyond traditional European destinations, strengthening their presence in North America, Asia and emerging markets, helping to cushion the impact of regional slowdowns.
A symbolic overtake, with limits
Overtaking Japan, a country with a far larger population and a long-established industrial base, is symbolically significant. It highlights the competitiveness of the “Made in Italy” brand and the ability of a medium-sized economy to punch above its weight in global trade.
At the same time, the achievement does not erase Italy’s structural challenges. A strong dependence on exports exposes the economy to global shocks, while domestic demand remains relatively weak in some sectors. Productivity gaps, demographic pressures and energy costs continue to weigh on long-term growth prospects.
A turning point for Italy’s economy
Still, becoming the world’s fourth-largest exporter marks a clear turning point. In a period of geopolitical tension and economic uncertainty, Italy’s export performance shows how a diversified industrial base, built around specialised firms and quality production, can deliver resilience and global relevance.
The challenge now is to ensure that this export strength translates into broader, more balanced growth at home.
