The province of Forlì-Cesena is strategically located within the Adriatic area, with a population of 394 thousand residents. The territory enjoys a rich historical and artistic heritage across a multitude of towns and villages, integrated with numerous food and wine itineraries. Natural attractions range from the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines to the coastal marine oases, as well as renowned summer destinations such as Cesenatico, that are attracting residents thanks to their high quality of life. The main cities are Forlì and Cesena, where we also find two campuses of the University of Bologna, with about 12 thousand students (RER, a.y. 2023/24) and a strong international vocation. Visitor flows are also connected to two exhibition centres, in Forlì and Cesena. This territory is an important hub for the aerospace sector, thanks to the presence of top companies as Curti, the “Ciclope” Centre for International Cooperation in Long Pipe Experiments and the Forlì aeronautical technology pole. The main industries are building, agrifood and mechanical engineering followed by mechanical engineering, but the province is also at the heart of the regional Wellness Valley with companies as Technogym.
Population
FORLÌ-CESENA | Data | Source – Year |
Total population | 393,978 | RER – 2024 |
Male | 48.9% | RER – 2024 |
Female | 51.1% | RER – 2024 |
% youth population (<15 years) | 12.0% | RER – 2024 |
% elderly population (>65 years) | 25.2% | RER – 2024 |
No. students enrolled in university | 11,936 | RER- a.y. 2023/24 |
Residential property market trends
(SOURCE OMI Agenzia delle Entrate, processing by ART-ER)
The province is made up of 30 municipalities and there are 3 Unions of municipalities.
The number of normalised transactions (NTN) in the province during 2023 was 4,556. This figure shows a +14% growth in the period 2018-2023.
In terms of property size, transactions in 2023 in the province of Forlì-Cesena can be broken down as shown:
- 9% properties up to 50 sqm
- 27% properties between 50 sqm and 85 sqm
- 28% properties between 85 sqm and 115 sqm
- 18% properties between 115 sqm and 145 sqm
- 19% over 145 sqm
Description of socio-economic context
Production specialisation, districts and specialities, foreign investors in the province
The main industries are building and construction, agrifood and mechanical engineering. Other specialisations include the international district of upholstered furniture in Forlì. The territory is at the heart of the Wellness Valley with global brands such as Technogym, while the nautical sector boasts brands such as Ferretti. San Mauro Pascoli is home to a famous footwear district. Within agribusiness, distribution and the cold chain are strong areas, as well as the numerous typical products (from Sogliano cheese to the piadina). The province is home to two exhibition centres, one in Forlì and one in Cesena.
In the province, about 116 companies with turnover higher tha 1 million euros are controlled by a foreign global ultimate owner (2023, Aida BvD, data process. ART-ER), including: Ferretti, Celanese, GianvitoRossi, Sergio Rossi, Vossloh Fastening Systems, Club House.
Other outstanding companies include: Technogym, Arca, Apofruit, Orogel, Dorelan, Olitalia, Pollini, and Baldinini.
Companies and work | Data | Source – Year |
Number of local units | 44,783 | Infocamere – 2024 |
Employees | 141,498 | Infocamere – 2024 |
Unemployment rate | 5.2% | Istat – 2023 |
Employees by supply chain
(Infocamere 2024, data processing by ART-ER)
Services
Innovation, transport, smart city, etc.
The province of Forlì-Cesena is strategically located with two important freight terminals (Cesena and Villaselva), and proximity to the international airports of Bologna and Rimini and the Port of Ravenna. Bologna holds 22nd place nationally (out of over 100 cities) in the 2019 smart city index by I-City Rank (Forum PA). The University of Bologna CICLoPE Laboratory and the Romagna Scientific Institute for the Study and Treatment of Cancer (IRST) are internationally renowned. The Forlì-Cesena Technopole comprises 3 laboratories (Ciri Aeronautica, Ciri Ict and Ciri Agroalimentare).
Cultural and natural heritage, accommodation, tourism
The province has a rich historical heritage that stretches from historic city centres and numerous villages scattered across the territory, from Brisighella to Forlimpopoli, to the port of Cesenatico, designed by Leonardo Da Vinci. The province registers an annual presence of 5.7 million visitors (2024, RER) and an accommodation capacity of 60,709 beds (2023,RER). The wonders of the Tuscan-Romagnolo Apennines, such as the Acqua Cheta waterfalls or the Foreste Casentinesi National Park, combine with the Wellness Valley, with many food and wine itineraries as part of the “Strada dei vini e dei sapori dei Colli di Forlì e Cesena”, and the spas of Castrocaro and Fratta. Cultural attractions include several museum complexes and the historical Bonci theatre.
For more information:
https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/towns/forli
https://emiliaromagnaturismo.it/en/towns/cesena
Map of main structures and infrastructure
Distances | Km |
Cesena – San Marino | 49 |
Cesena – Pesaro | 70 |
Forlì – Ravenna | 29 |
Forlì – Bologna | 74 |



A selection of companies from the Province of Forlì-Cesena









Real estate in Forlì and Cesena
CESENA NOVELLO DISTRICT (UMI3 building)
THE PALACE OF COWS (PALAZZO DELLE VACCHE)
FORLÌ- AREA TO BE REFURBISHED
FORLI’ AIRPORT HUB
CESENA NOVELLO DISTRICT (UMI3 building)
THE PALACE OF COWS (PALAZZO DELLE VACCHE)
FORLÌ- AREA TO BE REFURBISHED
FORLI’ AIRPORT HUB
CESENA NOVELLO DISTRICT (UMI3 building)
THE PALACE OF COWS (PALAZZO DELLE VACCHE)
FORLÌ- AREA TO BE REFURBISHED
In-depth links
- Campus di Forlì – Università di Bologna: https://www.unibo.it/en/campus-forli/forli-campus
- Campus di Cesena – Università di Bologna: http://www.unibo.it/en/campus-cesena/cesena-campus
- Wellness Valley: https://www.wellnessvalley.it/
- Strada dei vini e dei sapori dei Colli di Forlì e Cesena: http://www.stradavinisaporifc.it/en/
- Parco Nazionale Foreste Casentinesi: https://www.parcoforestecasentinesi.it//
Italian only:
- Tecnopolo di Forlì-Cesena: tecnopolo.forlicesena.it
- CICLoPE Laboratoty: ciclope.unibo.it