Rome, April 22 – In the first quarter of 2026, Rome recorded the highest entrepreneurial balance in Italy, with 8,367 new business registrations compared to 5,976 cessations, resulting in a net increase of 2,391 businesses. This translates to a growth rate of 0.55%, significantly higher than the national average of 0.01%.
Lazio Leads Italian Regions in Business Growth
According to the Movimprese report by Unioncamere and InfoCamere, based on the Chambers of Commerce business register, the total number of registered businesses in Rome and its province reached 438,062 by the end of March 2026, representing 7.5% of Italian businesses.
These figures position Lazio as the leading Italian region for active balance, with a net increase of 2,477 businesses in the first quarter of 2026 (10,933 registrations against 8,456 cessations). The region’s growth rate stands at +0.42%, an increase from +0.28% in the first quarter of 2025. By March 31, 2026, the total number of registered businesses in Lazio was 591,859, accounting for 10.2% of Italian businesses.
Moderate Optimism Amidst Economic Uncertainty
Lorenzo Tagliavanti, President of the Rome Chamber of Commerce, commented on the findings: “In a general socio-political situation that remains extremely uncertain and a global economic framework of strong unpredictability, the data released today by the Unioncamere/Infocamere survey induce moderate optimism and confirm a tenacious dynamism of our productive fabric. The data for Rome and Lazio in the first quarter of 2026 demonstrate, once again, that our productive fabric is strong and capable of reacting effectively to difficulties, but we must not rest on our laurels, and it is a priority to insist on support actions.”
Concerns Over Energy Costs and Inflation
Tagliavanti highlighted the primary concern: “The main concern regards the surge in energy costs, a very serious situation that negatively impacts our businesses and which we hope will find a solution as soon as possible.” He further warned, “Moreover, if this increase in costs is permanent, it could cause a resurgence of inflationary dynamics and also a consequent pressure on the ECB for an increase in interest rates: a fact that would represent a decidedly heavy blow to the competitiveness of our businesses.”
The report underscores the resilience of the local economy in Rome and Lazio, even as broader economic challenges persist. The regional growth outpaces the national trend, signaling a robust entrepreneurial spirit in the capital and its surrounding areas. However, the long-term impact of energy costs and potential interest rate hikes remain significant concerns for the business community.
The data provides a snapshot of the economic landscape, indicating a positive trend in business formation and stability within the Lazio region, primarily driven by Rome. The focus now shifts to addressing the external economic pressures that could potentially hinder this growth trajectory.
Source: https://www.ansa.it/lazio/notizie/2026/04/22/roma-traina-il-primato-del-lazio-per-la-crescita-di-imprese_b24aa0ef-d3c1-4c09-8a84-e0478f432ec1.html
