According to the “Women in Municipalities 2026” report by ANCI, women account for 35.3% of local government officials in Italy, totaling more than 44,000 positions. Female mayors represent 15.4% of the total (1,187), marking a significant increase over past decades.

Representation is higher in northern and central regions, while southern areas and islands continue to lag behind. Female administrators are, on average, younger and more highly educated than their male counterparts, with nearly half holding a university degree.

Women are also increasingly taking on strategic roles such as public works and environmental policy, moving beyond traditional social sectors. In municipal employment overall, women make up 58% of the workforce and are gaining ground in senior leadership roles.