by InTrieste
The provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia have emerged as standouts in Italy’s latest quality-of-life rankings, published by ItaliaOggi and Ital Communications in collaboration with Sapienza University of Rome. In its 26th edition, the report rates all four provinces of the region—Pordenone, Trieste, Udine, and Gorizia—among the nation’s top-tier locales, where quality of life is considered “good.”
Milan clinched the top spot in the rankings, followed by Bolzano and Monza-Brianza. Within Friuli Venezia Giulia, Pordenone led the way at ninth place, with Trieste at 14th, Udine at 18th, and Gorizia at 26th. All four provinces improved their standings compared to last year, thanks in part to revised evaluation criteria.
The region’s upward trajectory was especially dramatic for Trieste and Gorizia, which each climbed 16 positions.
Trieste: A Rising Star
Trieste’s leap is attributed to two key factors. The city saw significant improvements in the “business and employment” category, one of nine dimensions assessed in the report. Additionally, a newly introduced category, “tourism and culture,” showcased Trieste’s strengths: the city ranked third nationwide in this area, cementing its reputation as a cultural and tourist hub.
Gorizia’s Environmental Gains
Gorizia also saw notable progress, particularly in the “environment” dimension, which incorporated updated criteria. The city performed well in the “tourism and culture” category and benefited from changes to the “social safety” metrics, highlighting improvements in community security.
Pordenone and Udine: Consistent Excellence
Pordenone, ranking ninth, continues to excel in social safety and crime reduction, while maintaining a strong average across all dimensions. Udine, ranked 18th, shines in the “education and training” category, a strength it shares with Trieste.
Challenges in Health and Demographics
While Friuli Venezia Giulia performed well overall, its weakest results came in the “population” dimension, due to demographic challenges, and in the healthcare system. Notably, the health metrics only considered hospital infrastructure and equipment, leaving out broader indicators of public health.
Despite these challenges, Friuli Venezia Giulia’s upward mobility in the rankings underscores its growing appeal as a region that balances economic vitality, cultural richness, and environmental sustainability.
“It’s all due to the incredible allure of our region,” said governor Fedriga, “and we’ll need to be able to seize the opportunity that 2025 will bring with many visitors flocking to our region due to the Gorizia, the European capital of culture year.”
For Trieste, with its unique blend of cultural vibrancy and Adriatic charm, the recognition serves as another chapter in its story of revitalization. And for Friuli Venezia Giulia as a whole, it is yet another reason to shine on Italy’s national stage.
