Demographics, Research, and Analysis
The John D. Calandra Italian American Institute continues with its project in demographics, research, and data analysis. The Italian Diasporas: Data Snapshot series provides information regarding a variety of characteristics related to the Italian diaspora. These summaries and more extensive reports answer questions such as:
What sets the Italian diaspora apart from those of other ethnic groups?
What distinguishes the Italian diaspora across the countries of immigration?
Are there significant differences in patterns of assimilation and acculturation for the Italian diaspora?
This month the Data Snapshot examines trends among students who Study Abroad.
Study abroad programs give students the opportunity to live and pursue their education in a country outside their own. Often tied to language study, such programs expose students to new cultures and experiences beyond the classroom. Programs range from a few weeks to a full year and provide academic credit.
The data show that study abroad participation in Italy has consistently exceeded the number of Italian students studying in the United States. From the early 2000s to 2019, study abroad enrollment increased steadily, rising from approximately 20,000 to nearly 38,000 students before dropping sharply to less than 5,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic. Participation recovered quickly, reaching approximately 45,000 students in 2024, the highest level observed.
By contrast, Italian international student enrollment in the United States increased more gradually, rising from slightly more than 4,000 students in the early 2000s to approximately 6,500 in 2024, with only a modest pandemic-related decline. Throughout these decades, Italian international students accounted for a small share of total transatlantic academic mobility.
The data highlight an imbalance in educational exchange, with Italy serving primarily as a destination for US study abroad rather than as a major source of degree-seeking students to the United States.
NB: Given the difference in population size between the United States and Italy (348,326,949 versus 58,900,000), one must rely on percentages rather than raw numbers. Regarding college attendance, an estimated 19.25 million American students attend college,1 while 1.9 million Italian students are enrolled.2 The percentage of American students who study abroad is 6%, and the percentage of Italian students who study abroad is 4.4%.3
1 Number of US students enrolled in college or university.
2 Number of Italian students enrolled in college or university.
3 Study abroad data; source UNESCO.
For previous Data Snapshots click here.