9% of Italian classes have more than 30% foreign students

Study by Tuttoscuola magazine shows that 33,222 classes — 9.1% of the total — had more than 30% of non-Italian students in the 2024-25 school year, with strong regional and cycle-based concentration, according to ANSA (05/10/2026).

Key study findings — Italian schools, foreign students, 30% limit

O levantamento da revista especializada Tuttoscuola, noticiado pela ANSA em 5 de outubro de 2026, analyzed the distribution of foreign students in classes across the Italian school system in the 2024-25 academic year. According to the report:

• Total number of classes analyzed: 365,935.
• Classes with more than 30% of non-Italian students: 33,222, equal to 9.1% of the total.
• State schools hosting these classes: 4,295, or 10.6% of the country’s 40,678 active schools.
• Total foreign students registered in the system: 848,231; of these, 273,561 (about one third) are concentrated in classes surpassing the 30% cap.

"33,222 classes (9.1% of 365,935) have >30% non-Italian students; 273,561 students — approximately 1/3 of foreigners — are in these classes", according to Tuttoscuola and ANSA.

These figures show both the notable presence of foreign students in the system and the existence of pockets with strong concentration that may impact school dynamics and resource organization.

Distribution by level and geographic area — regional and cycle distribution

The concentration varies significantly by education level and by region, according to the study.

• Primary education (scuola primaria): 16,836 classes with more than 30% foreign students, corresponding to 13.8% of classes at this level — the highest incidence among the analyzed cycles.
• Early childhood education (scuola dell'infanzia): 5,023 classes above the limit, or 12.5% of this level.
• Lower secondary education / middle school (scuola media): about 9% of classes above the cap.
• Upper secondary education (scuole superiori): 3.5% of classes with more than 30% foreign students.

In territorial terms, the study highlights a pronounced North-South difference: in the North there is roughly one class every six that exceeds 30% foreign students, while in the South the ratio is about one class every 68. This distribution points to geographic concentration that affects school organization, language services, and local integration policies.

Relevance for Brazilians and descendants — life in Italy and choosing a residence

The results have practical use for Brazilians and descendants living or planning to reside in Italy:

• The presence of pockets with high concentration can influence the availability of Italian L2 classes, targeted pedagogical support, and cultural integration dynamics in classes.
• Those choosing a municipality or region to live and enroll their children should consider both the regional distribution and the level of schooling: the highest incidences occur at primary level and in Northern areas.
• For Brazilians interested in citizenship topics and daily life in Italy, the data can complement information found in guides on education and social integration available in sections like Cidadania Italiana and Vida na Itália.

These patterns are also relevant for observers of educational policy and urban planning: high concentration of foreign students in specific classes and schools requires targeted responses in terms of staffing, teacher training, and support services, topics often covered in Notícias da Itália.

What the numbers do not say — limitations of the analysis

The study offers a statistical snapshot but does not explain local causes or detailed educational impacts. It lacks qualitative information on school performance, language proficiency levels of foreign students, or assessments of support measures implemented in affected schools. To understand concrete effects on integration and educational outcomes, further research and local data would be necessary.

Conclusion Tuttoscuola's survey, as reported by ANSA, reveals that a sizable share of Italian classes concentrates a high proportion of foreign students, with clear differences by level and region. These data should inform considerations for those thinking about residing in Italy or evaluating local school policies, especially because they show concentration pockets that require targeted attention.

Source: ANSA