In 2026, the northern region of Lombardy (Lombardia) remains the richest part of Italy in terms of total GDP, acting as the nation's industrial and financial powerhouse with Milan at its center. However, when measured by GDP per capita, the autonomous province of South Tyrol (Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen) consistently holds the top spot. This region, bordering Austria and Switzerland, boasts a highly diversified economy focused on high-tech manufacturing, luxury tourism, and specialized agriculture. According to the latest Eurostat and ISTAT data, South Tyrol's GDP per inhabitant is nearly 1.5 times the Italian national average. Other "wealthy" northern regions like Trentino, Valle d'Aosta, and Emilia-Romagna also outperform the capital region of Lazio, reflecting a deep-seated economic divide where the North maintains prosperity levels comparable to the wealthiest regions in Germany and Northern Europe.