News dated
In its report published on 24 September, ISTAT estimates that 62.9% of firms with at least ten workers in the industrial and service sectors covered undertook innovation activities in 2022–2024, up 4.3 percentage points from 2020–2022. The increase came from small firms, while the shares for medium-sized and large firms fell slightly. These are findings about those years, rather than a snapshot of September 2026. [1]
Innovation does not only mean launching an entirely new product. The report includes changes to production methods, work organisation and information systems. The overall measure covers activities completed, still underway or abandoned. The share that successfully introduced at least one innovation is a separate figure: 60.8%. [1][2]
Growth does not remove the obstacles. Of firms undertaking innovation activities, 24.6% report shortages of money or staff. Among those introducing product or process innovations, 37.2% report innovations with environmental benefits, a lower share than in the previous period. More innovation does not automatically mean greater sustainability. [1]
The bright side
Progress among smaller firms shows that change can also happen through everyday processes. The report makes that movement visible while acknowledging resource constraints and weaker environmental progress. [1][2]
One idea, in simple words
A business makes things or provides services. Innovation means introducing changes. It can involve a product, but also a different way of working. For example, imagine a factory changing how it organises orders. This is a made-up example to explain the idea, rather than a company described in the report. [1]
On 24 September, ISTAT, Italy’s statistics institute, published findings about 2022–2024. Among the businesses studied with at least ten workers, about 63 in every 100 had undertaken innovation activities. The share grew because of smaller firms. But some activities were still underway or had been abandoned. They had not all become successful results. Also, innovation does not guarantee a benefit for nature: we need to check what actually changes before saying that it helps the environment. [1][2]
A little discovery to keep
What did you discover?
Straight from the source.
- L’innovazione nelle imprese – Anni 2022-2024 ISTAT · 24 Sept 2026
- L’innovazione nelle imprese 2022–2024: testo integrale e nota metodologica ISTAT · 24 Sept 2026
Original reporting summaries prepared with AI assistance and accessible sources. Our editorial method.
