About 400,000 Bangladeshis live in Italy, according to foreign ministry officials, making the South Asian country one of the largest sources of non-European residents in the nation.
The exact number of undocumented Bangladeshis within that population is not known. However, irregular migration has become a growing issue for both governments. Italy’s home ministry reported that more than 15,000 Bangladeshis arrived via the Mediterranean Sea between January and Oct. 15 this year.
Many Bangladeshis who migrate to Italy seek work in industries such as agriculture, hospitality and construction. While a portion of this migration occurs through official labor channels, others arrive without proper authorization, often after long journeys through North Africa and dangerous sea crossings.
Italy and Bangladesh have a history of cooperation on migration enforcement. A 2017 memorandum with the European Union led to the repatriation of approximately 28,000 Bangladeshis by 2023, according to EU and Bangladeshi officials.
Officials from both countries have described the relationship as focused on managing mobility while addressing labor needs and curbing unauthorized entries. Despite tighter border controls in recent years, arrivals from Bangladesh continue to be one of the largest among non-African nationalities traveling via the central Mediterranean route.