Population density in Italy presents astonishing extremes. Naples exceeds 8,000 inhabitants per square kilometer, while dozens of mountain municipalities don't even reach 1 inhabitant per km². This gap tells the story of two different Italies: that of the great metropolitan areas and that of villages on the verge of abandonment.
The Most Dense Municipalities
The most densely populated municipalities are concentrated in the metropolitan areas of Naples, Milan, and Turin. The Neapolitan hinterland dominates the ranking with densities comparable to Europe's most crowded cities.
The 15 Most Densely Populated Municipalities
Inhabitants per km² — Top 15 municipalities
Population Density Map
Each municipality colored by population density — darkest areas are the most dense
3D Map: Density by Municipality
Columns proportional to population — drag to rotate
The Least Dense Municipalities
At the opposite end of the ranking are mountain municipalities in the Alps and Apennines — villages spread over vast territories with very few residents. In these areas the natural landscape dominates, but essential services are virtually nonexistent.
Low density doesn't always mean abandonment: Alpine municipalities like Livigno or Cortina have low densities due to their enormous territorial extent, but enjoy a thriving tourism economy.
The Geographic Pattern
The Po Valley and coastal areas have the highest densities, while the Apennine ridge and inland areas of the South show very low values. This distribution reflects centuries of urbanization and the internal migration patterns of the last 70 years.
Explore the population density of your municipality in the Demographics section of DatiItalia.