Report Comune di Bari (ISTAT, Commissione parlamentare sulle periferie)

The document is a comprehensive study titled “Report Comune di Bari (ISTAT, Commissione parlamentare sulle periferie)”, produced by Italy’s national statistics institute, Istat, in collaboration with the parliamentary commission investigating urban peripheries. It presents an in‑depth analysis of demographic, socioeconomic and housing conditions across the 17 neighbourhoods of Bari, based on the 2021 census and subsequent municipal data.

The study reveals that 31.1 % of households in Bari do not own their home, a figure that exceeds 40 % in the peripheral districts of San Paolo, San Nicola and Ceglie. Overall, just under a third (31.1 %) of families live in rented accommodation, with the highest rates in San Nicola (44.3 %), San Paolo (45.3 %) and Ceglie (41.4 %). The lowest tenancy rates are observed in Picone (22.5 %) and Loseto.

Bari covers 117.56 km² and housed 315,948 residents as of 31 December 2021, giving an average density of 2,688 inhabitants per km². The most densely populated quarters are Madonnella (19,758 residents/km²), Libertà (19,571 residents/km²) and Murat (over 16,000 residents/km²). Conversely, Stanic and Loseto register densities just below 400 residents/km². Seven quarters each contain more than 20,000 inhabitants, accounting for over 68 % of the city’s population; Picone, Libertà and Carrassi together host one‑third of all residents.

The city’s old‑age index stands at 215.8 seniors (over 64 years) per 100 youths (0‑14 years). The highest indices are recorded in Picone and Carrassi (exceeding 280), while the lowest appear in peripheral areas such as San Paolo (144.1), Stanic (136.3) and Marconi San Girolamo Fesca (126.1).

Quartiers with a stronger youth presence (up to 24 years) include Stanic, San Paolo and Marconi San Girolamo Fesca, where more than a quarter of the population falls in this age band. In contrast, Carrassi, Picone and San Pasquale have fewer than 20 % young residents. Educational attainment shows stark contrasts: Picone, Murat, Carrassi and San Pasquale boast more than 75 % of adults (25‑64 years) with at least a secondary school diploma, whereas San Paolo and San Nicola fall to 42.7 %. Early school leaving is prevalent in San Nicola, Libertà and San Paolo, affecting one‑fifth of youths aged 18‑24.

Employment rates above 60 % are found in Picone, Murat, Carrassi and San Pasquale, while San Nicola, San Paolo and Stanic lag just above the 50 % threshold. Unemployment exceeds 13 % in San Nicola, Stanic, Libertà and San Paolo, but remains below 10 % in Picone, Murat and San Pasquale.

The proportion of young people (15‑29) who are neither studying nor employed reaches at least 25 % in San Nicola, Madonnella, San Paolo, Libertà and Stanic, whereas Picone and San Pasquale display the lowest figures (around 17 %).

Cultural attractions are heavily concentrated: 66.7 % of museums and over 90 % of museum visitors are located in the historic quarter of San Nicola. Healthcare provision includes five emergency hospitals, with two in San Pasquale and one each in Picone, San Paolo and Carbonara.

The high tenancy rates in peripheral districts, coupled with lower educational outcomes and higher unemployment, underscore the need for affordable, energy‑efficient housing solutions that address social inequities. Targeted interventions in areas such as San Paolo, San Nicola and Ceglie could improve housing stability, reduce commuting distances, and support broader sustainability goals across the Mediterranean urban context.