Introduction: A City of Tourists, But Fewer Venetians
Visitors stepping into Venice are often amazed: canals instead of roads, palaces on the water, gondolas drifting silently. But if they stay a little longer, they notice something strange.
Shops sell souvenirs, streets are crowded with tourists, and apartments look like short-term rentals. But where are the Venetians?
The truth is sobering: Venice is experiencing one of the steepest population declines in Europe. The city that once had more than 175,000 residents now has fewer than 50,000 in the historic center. Every year, hundreds more leave.
This article explores the reasons behind Venice’s population decline, what it means for the city, and whether there is hope for the future.
Part 1: A City Shrinking Over Time
1.1 The Numbers
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1950s: about 175,000 residents lived in the historic islands.
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1980: the population dropped to around 100,000.
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2000: fewer than 70,000.
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Today: fewer than 50,000 — and still falling.
The exodus is so steady that locals call it the “Venexodus.”
1.2 Why It Matters
Venice is not just monuments. Without residents, it risks becoming a stage set — a museum-city where tourists wander but daily life disappears. The decline affects:
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Schools (closing due to lack of children).
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Shops (replaced by tourist businesses).
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Traditions (lost as younger Venetians leave).
Part 2: Why Venetians Leave
2.1 Housing Crisis
Tourism makes real estate expensive.
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Many apartments are converted into Airbnb rentals.
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Prices rise beyond what locals can afford.
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Families move to Mestre (on the mainland) or other towns nearby.
A Venetian teacher once said: “I could either rent my apartment to tourists for two weeks or to a family for a month. Which would you choose?”
2.2 Lack of Services
Living in Venice means:
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Carrying groceries across bridges.
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Dealing with limited healthcare facilities.
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Struggling with schools that keep shrinking.
For families with children, life on the mainland feels easier.
2.3 Tourism Pressure
Venetians often feel like extras in their own city.
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Narrow streets jammed with tourists.
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Souvenir shops replacing butcher shops or bakeries.
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Cruise passengers crowding the city for a few hours.
Some residents describe the city as “invaded daily,” with little space for normal life.
2.4 Jobs and Opportunities
The local economy revolves around tourism.
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Jobs in hotels, restaurants, and shops dominate.
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Few opportunities for other careers.
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Young Venetians often leave for better work in Milan, Rome, or abroad.
2.5 Flooding and Climate Change
Acqua alta (high water) makes living here harder.
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Homes and shops are regularly damaged.
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Insurance is costly.
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Some give up after repeated floods.
Although the MOSE system now protects against the worst tides, years of damage have taken a toll.
Part 3: Daily Life for the Remaining Venetians
3.1 The Emptying Campi
Every Venetian neighborhood (sestiere) has a campo (square). Once filled with children playing and neighbors chatting, many now feel quiet.
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Fewer children mean closed schools.
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Older residents dominate.
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Shops cater to tourists, not locals.
3.2 Logistics of Living
Venice is beautiful but impractical.
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No cars — everything is carried by boat and handcart.
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Rubbish collection is done on foot.
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Moving furniture requires hiring a boat.
For elderly residents or busy families, this becomes exhausting.
3.3 Community Spirit
Despite difficulties, those who stay share a strong sense of identity.
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Festivals like Festa del Redentore and Regata Storica are still celebrated with passion.
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Venetians meet in local osterie and bacari (wine bars).
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There’s pride in keeping the city alive, even as numbers shrink.
Part 4: Impacts of Depopulation
4.1 On Schools
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Class sizes shrink.
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Some schools close or merge.
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Fewer young Venetians means weaker cultural continuity.
4.2 On Businesses
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Grocery stores and local shops close.
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Replaced by tourist shops (masks, trinkets, cheap glass).
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Residents must travel farther for essentials.
4.3 On Culture
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Murano glass, Burano lace, and other crafts lose apprentices.
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Carnival becomes a spectacle for tourists, not locals.
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The Venetian dialect fades.
4.4 On the City’s Soul
A Venice without Venetians risks becoming a theme park — beautiful, but hollow.
Part 5: Stories of Venetians Who Left
5.1 Marta, the Young Professional
Marta grew up near Rialto. After university, she wanted to work in finance. Jobs in Venice were limited to tourism. She moved to Milan, visiting her parents only on holidays.
5.2 Lorenzo, the Father
Lorenzo had two young children. Carrying strollers over bridges, paying high rents, and dealing with acqua alta became too much. His family moved to Mestre, where schools, supermarkets, and cars make life simpler.
5.3 Anna, the Shopkeeper
Anna owned a fruit shop in Cannaregio. Tourists wanted souvenirs, not apples. Rising rent forced her to close. She moved to Treviso, where she opened a new shop with local customers.
Part 6: What Is Being Done?
6.1 Entry Fees for Tourists
In 2024, Venice introduced an entry fee for day-trippers. The goal:
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Reduce crowds.
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Raise money for city services.
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Encourage longer stays.
6.2 Limiting Cruise Ships
Large cruise ships are banned from entering the lagoon directly. They now dock at Marghera, reducing pressure on St. Mark’s.
6.3 Housing Policies
Some discussions include:
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Limiting short-term rentals.
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Offering incentives for locals to stay.
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Building more affordable housing on the mainland with good transport links.
6.4 Supporting Crafts
Programs aim to support Murano glass, Burano lace, and mask-makers by promoting authentic products and fighting counterfeits.
Part 7: What Visitors Can Do
As a traveler, you can help slow Venice’s decline:
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Stay overnight — don’t just visit for a few hours.
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Book local guides who explain Venice beyond the postcards.
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Support artisans — buy authentic glass, lace, or prints.
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Respect space — don’t block alleys or bridges for photos.
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Learn a few words of Venetian or Italian — show respect for locals.
Part 8: Hope for the Future
Venice has always been resilient. For centuries, it fought against floods, wars, and decline. Many Venetians believe the city can survive if balance is restored.
Young initiatives are emerging:
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Start-ups bringing digital jobs to Venice.
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Community groups protecting neighborhood life.
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Art and cultural events attracting conscious travelers instead of mass tourism.
Conclusion: A City That Needs Its People
Venice is a miracle of architecture and history, but without Venetians, it loses its heartbeat. Population decline is the city’s greatest silent crisis — more dangerous than acqua alta, because it erodes the soul from within.
But change is possible. By choosing responsible tourism, supporting locals, and encouraging policies that protect residents, we can help Venice remain a living city, not a museum.
👉 With Tour Leader Venice, you don’t just visit Venice — you meet the people who keep it alive, discover the crafts that risk disappearing, and see the neighborhoods where daily life still continues.
So next time you walk through Venice, remember: behind every bridge and palazzo, there’s a story of Venetians fighting to stay. Let’s help them succeed.
