Are you thinking of changing cities in 2026? Before packing your bags, it is worth taking a look at the real data on the quality of life in the Italian provinces. The latest survey by ItaliaOggi, Ital Communications and Sapienza University of Rome paints a very clear picture: not all cities are the same, and some destinations should really be avoided.
The analysis is based on nine fundamental parameters that concretely weigh on daily life: job opportunities, environmental conditions, quality of education, demographic composition, security, income capacity, social protection, health efficiency and cultural offer.
The South pays the highest price
The worst news comes from the South, where the situation appears structurally critical. The last five positions in the ranking are all occupied by southern provinces, a symptom of problems that go far beyond temporary emergencies.
Caltanissetta bitterly closes the ranking as the worst Italian province, followed by Crotone and Reggio Calabria. To these are added Foggia and Agrigento, which complete the bottom of the ranking. But the list does not stop here: even metropolises such as Naples, Palermo and Catania languish in the very last positions, highlighting difficulties that even concern the large urban centers of the South.
The gap with the rest of Italy is dramatic: inadequate infrastructure, insufficient health services, limited job opportunities and a fragile economic fabric characterize these areas. Among all the southern and island provinces, only L’Aquila manages to break away from the most critical group, ranking in 56th place out of 107 total provinces.
The rare exceptions in the South
Not all of the South is the same. Two “oases” emerge which demonstrate how it is possible to reverse the trend: Lecce and Cagliari are placed above the southern average thanks to targeted investments in culture, tourism and urban liveability. They are examples that change is possible, but they remain isolated cases in a very difficult general panorama.
An Italy split in two
Experts point out that in 2025 only 60 out of 107 provinces will reach quality of life standards considered good or acceptable. It means that almost half of the country lives in problematic or inadequate conditions.
The general improvement recorded in some indicators, such as healthcare, is not sufficient to fill the gap accumulated over the years. Many provinces are improving slowly, but they start from such backward positions that progress does not translate into a real change in perspective.
Cities to stay away from
If you are considering a move, here are the 5 provinces you should permanently cross off your list:
- Caltanissetta (last in the standings)
- Crotone (penultimate)
- Reggio Calabria (103rd)
- Foggia (104th)
- Agrigento (105th)
Added to these are the large cities of the South which, despite their size and historical importance, are unable to offer adequate living conditions: Naples, Palermo and Catania remain trapped in the lower areas of the ranking.
Where to go instead?
On the contrary, those looking for opportunities and quality of life should look to the North and the Centre: Milan dominates the ranking, followed by Bolzano and Bologna. The provinces of Emilia-Romagna, Veneto and Lombardy permanently occupy the top positions, offering efficient services, concrete job opportunities and modern infrastructures.
The choice is clear: Italy in 2026 will continue to be a two-speed country, where the quality of life depends heavily on geography. Before moving, it is worth studying the data carefully.
