Sardinia, a land of artisans: nearly 34,000 businesses, the island ranks second in Italy for growth.
In the second quarter of 2026, the sector recorded an encouraging +0.68%, surpassed only by Valle d'Aosta (+0.97%). Over 80,000 people are employed, with Cagliari leading the way, but the balance between openings and closures is favorable in Sassari and Gallura.
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Sardinian craftsmanship continues to grow and remains one of the driving forces of the island's economy . In the second quarter of 2026, the sector had 33,935 registered businesses, of which 33,716 were active: over 20% of all Sardinian businesses . This is according to a study by the Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna Research Office on the demographics of artisan businesses.
The most significant data concerns growth dynamics: with a +0.68%—an improvement over last year's +0.63%—Sardinia ranks second in Italy, behind only Valle d'Aosta (+0.97%) and well above the national average of +0.43%. The positive balance is 230 businesses , the result of 639 new businesses and 409 closures.
Equally significant is the employment impact: the more than 80,000 workers employed in artisanal businesses represent more than 20% of the island's workforce . Specifically, the sector employs 57.2% of construction workers, 42.2% of those in extended manufacturing, and 11.8% in services.
At the regional level, Cagliari is the leading province with 12,415 registered artisan businesses , a growth of 0.73% and a balance of +90 units, thanks to 247 registrations and 157 closures. Sassari-Gallura follows closely behind with 12,367 businesses , which, however, recorded the highest growth rate on the island, 0.99%, with a balance of +121 businesses (254 openings and 133 closures) . Nuoro comes in third, with 6,810 businesses and an increase of 0.27%. Oristano 's figure is more modest: 2,343 total businesses, a growth of 0.04% and a balance of just one unit, the result of 34 openings and 33 closures.
"The recorded growth of Sardinian artisan businesses confirms the work done by entrepreneurs together with the Region to promote the sector ," says Giacomo Meloni, President of Confartigianato Imprese Sardegna . "It is the result of constant, often complex but always constructive, dialogue with the various Departments, which has allowed the refinancing of the Artisan Law 949 over the years, thus providing €120 million to the sector through streamlined and effective formulas."
Among the most encouraging signs, the president points to the emergence of "more structured" businesses and the growth of businesses specializing in home services . These are predominantly micro-businesses where the owner is also the sole employee, but which demonstrate "a significant ability to adapt to new market demands."
(Unioneonline)
