The province of Ferrara is the hinge between the Adriatic Sea and the Emilia-Romagna Region, a place with a population of 341,000 residents, where art and nature blend with the excellence of the territory. Located at northeast of the regional territory, Ferrara is in a strategic position with respect to the Bologna airports and hi-speed rail station and the Ravenna port. The territory boasts an outstanding historical and natural heritage with two UNESCO World Heritage Sites – the historic centre of Ferrara and the Po Delta Park – in addition to the coastal areas. Great monuments in the important Renaissance city include the Estense Castle, the Cathedral, the Palazzo dei Diamanti, the medieval walls. Quality of life is high with cultural attractions that include the world’s biggest Busker Festival, a historic theatre and a summer music festival with international star guests. The University of Ferrara has more than 30,000 students (RER, 2023-24 a.y.). The main industries are mechanical engineering, building and agribusiness but the territory has many other specialisations and an important exhibition centre. The Municipality of Ferrara and the Development Agency Sipro actively collaborate to attract new investments and to ensure a sustainable territorial development.
Population
| FERRARA | Data | Source – Year |
| Total population | 341,131 | RER – 2024 |
| Male | 48.5% | RER – 2024 |
| Female | 51.5% | RER – 2024 |
| % youth population (<15 years) | 10.3% | RER – 2024 |
| % elderly population (>65 years) | 28.8% | RER – 2024 |
| No. students enrolled in university | 30,511 | RER – a.y.2023-24 |
Residential property market trends
(SOURCE OMI – Agenzia delle Entrate, processing by ARTER)
The province is made up of 21 municipalities and includes 3 unions of municipalities.
Between 2018 and 2023, the number of normalised transactions increased by 41% from 4,153 to 5,866.
In terms of property size, transactions in the province of Ferrara in 2023 can be broken down as shown:
- 11% properties up to 50 sqm
- 33% properties between 50 sqm and 85 sqm
- 25% properties between 85 sqm and 115 sqm
- 14% properties between 115 sqm and 145 sqm
- 17% over 145 sqm
Description of socio-economic context
Production specialisation, districts and specialities, foreign investors in the province
The main industries are agrifood, building & construction, and mechanical engineering but the territory is also home to important companies in the fashion, chemical and plastic material industry. Ferrara Fiere Congressi is an important exhibition centre, integrated with Bologna Fiere, which organises international events including Remtech (reclamation and environmental safety). About 67 companies with turnover higher tha 1 million euros are controlled by a foreign global ultimate owner (2023, Aida BvD, data process. ART-ER), including: Berluti calzature, Inovyn, Toyota (LTE), Kastamonu, Dover (Vehicle Service Group), Berco, Basell, Rexnord, and Verizon.
In addition to the various agricultural cooperatives, other outstanding companies include: Bonfiglioli Engineering, Fava, Zoffoli Metalli, Mazzoni.
| Companies and work | Data | Source – Year |
| Number of local units | 36,689 | Infocamere – 2024 |
| Employees | 106,077 | Infocamere – 2024 |
| Unemployment rate | 5.6% | Istat – 2023 |
Employees by supply chain
(Infocamere 2024, data processing by ART-ER)
Services
Innovation, transport, smart city, etc.
In terms of logistics, the province of Ferrara is close to the international airports and high-speed railway stations of Bologna, Verona, Venice and Rimini, in addition to its proximity to the Port of Ravenna. Ferrara holds 20th place nationally (out of over 100 cities) in the 2019 smart city index (E&Y). The Technopole of Ferrara comprises the Scientific-Technological Pole of the University of Ferrara and the Sipro business incubators, as well as 6 laboratories (LTTA, MechLav, TekneHub, Terra & AcquaTech, APM, and CNR-Imamoter) and an innovation centre (CFR).
Cultural and natural heritage, accommodation, tourism
The historic centre of Ferrara is a UNESCO World Heritage Site but the whole province boasts attractions of historical and artistic interest, such as the residences of the Dukes of Este. The province registers an annual presence of 2.82 million visitors (2024, RER) and an accommodation capacity of approximately 44,181 beds (2023, RER). Natural attractions include the Po Delta Park, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the coastal areas of Comacchio. Various food and wine tours promote the many typical local products and cultural attractions include the municipal theatre, the world’s biggest Busker Festival and the international music festival “Ferrara sotto le stelle”.
For more information: https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/towns/ferrara
Map of main structures and infrastructure
| Distances | Km |
| Ferrara – Venezia | 112 |
| Ferrara – Verona | 106 |
| Ferrara – Ravenna | 82 |
| Ferrara – Bologna | 47 |
A selection of companies from the Province of Ferrara
Real estate in Ferrara
ARGENTA – AREA ALBERELLI
FERRARA – VIA MAYR
FERRARA – VIA BOSCHETTO
BUILDING COMPLEX XX SETTEMBRE
In-depth links
- Parco Delta del Po – parcodeltapo.it
- Invest in Ferrara: investinferrara.it
- Università di Ferrara: http://www.unife.it/it – http://www.unife.it/it/menu-profilati/international-students
- SIPRO https://www.siproferrara.com/index.php/it/
- Ferrara Buskers Festival –https://www.ferrarabuskers.com/
- Tecnopolo di Ferrara: https://www.tecnopolo.fe.it/?lang=en
Italian only
- Comune di Ferrara: https://www.comune.fe.it/
- Ferrara Sotto Le Stelle: https://www.ferrarasottolestelle.it/