Venetians are leaving the city in thousands because rents are unaffordable, while more than 11% of social housing stands empty. Evidence is mounting up about the destructiveness of the governance of Venice.

The exodus of locals from Venice, often called "Venice-land-ification," is driven by the crushing weight of over-tourism and the skyrocketing cost of living. In 2026, the resident population of the historic center has dipped below 50,000, while the city receives nearly 30 million tourists annually. Landlords have found they can make significantly more money through short-term rentals (like Airbnb) than long-term leases, effectively priced-out the local working class. Furthermore, the "essential" economy has collapsed; local hardware stores, bakeries, and tailors are being replaced by high-end luxury boutiques and "cheap" souvenir shops that cater only to day-trippers. Living in Venice also presents massive logistical hurdles, such as having to carry all groceries by hand over multiple bridges and dealing with frequent Acqua Alta (flooding). Many Venetians have moved to the mainland "Mestre" area, where they can own cars and access standard supermarkets, leaving the island as a beautiful but increasingly hollow "museum city."