Antibiotic consumption rate in Italy
Italy: Antibiotic consumption rate was 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2023. ▼ Falling
Latest (2023)
25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day
Change on year
up 5.1%
World rank
12th
of 46 countries
All-time high
26.26 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day
in 2016
All-time low
19.77 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day
in 2021
Years of data
8
2016–2023
Antibiotic consumption rate in Italy, 2016–2023
Source: WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data. Measured in defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day.
Analysis
The most recent figure for antibiotic consumption rate in Italy is 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day, measured in 2023.
Compared with earlier readings it is up 5.1% on the previous year and down 3.4% over ten years.
Italy ranks 12th of 46 countries on this measure, in the top quarter.
Antibiotic consumption rate in Italy, year by year
| Year | defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | 26.26 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | — |
| 2017 | 23.06 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | -12.2% |
| 2018 | 23.67 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | +2.7% |
| 2019 | 24.1 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | +1.8% |
| 2020 | 20.64 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | -14.4% |
| 2021 | 19.77 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | -4.2% |
| 2022 | 24.13 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | +22.1% |
| 2023 | 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | +5.1% |
Italy compared with similar countries
- Italy's 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day is above the median for high income countries, which is 17.88 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day, 1.4× the median. (26 countries reporting)
- Italy's 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day is above the median for Europe & Central Asia, which is 18.31 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day, 1.4× the median. (31 countries reporting)
Averages by decade
| Decade | Average | Lowest | Highest | Years |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2010s | 24.27 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 23.06 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 26.26 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 4 |
| 2020s | 22.47 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 19.77 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day | 4 |
Countries ranked near Italy
- 9 South Africa 29.52 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
- 10 Tanzania 29.25 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
- 11 Spain 25.54 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
- 13 Malta 24.98 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
- 14 France 24.54 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
- 15 Georgia 24.44 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day compare
More economy & growth data for Italy
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 04 - Annual real GDP 1.18 Percent per annum (2029)
- Africa's Development Dynamics (AfDD) Table 02 - Annual real GDP 0.8337 Percent per annum (2029)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), gaps 22.90 billion BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.009 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net outflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 388.75 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), gaps filled 882.91 million BoP, current US$ (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), annual -96.9 % change on previous year (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per unit 0.0003 BoP, current US$ per US$ of GDP (2025)
- Foreign direct investment, net inflows (BoP, current US$), per capita 14.99 BoP, current US$ per person (2025)
- Total reserves (includes gold, current US$), annual growth rate 49.38 % change on previous year (2025)
Frequently asked questions
- What is antibiotic consumption rate in Italy?
- Antibiotic consumption rate in Italy was 25.36 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2023, according to WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data.
- What is the highest antibiotic consumption rate recorded in Italy?
- The highest recorded value was 26.26 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2016.
- What is the lowest antibiotic consumption rate recorded in Italy?
- The lowest recorded value was 19.77 defined daily doses per 1,000 inhabitants per day in 2021.
- How does Italy rank for antibiotic consumption rate?
- Italy ranks 12th out of 46 countries with data for 2023.
- Is antibiotic consumption rate rising or falling in Italy?
- Over the last ten years it is down 3.4%. The long-run trend across the full record is falling.
- Where does this Italy data come from?
- The figures come from WHO Global Antimicrobial Resistance and Use Surveillance System (GLASS) (2025) – processed by Our World in Data, published as part of Antibiotic consumption rate. Statizoid updates them automatically from the source API.
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About this data
Total defined daily doses of antibiotics and antituberculosis drugs used in a given year per 1,000 inhabitants per day.