Compare countries · France vs Italy
France vs Italy
Across 13 comparable indicators: France leads on 4, Italy on 4, 5 effectively tied. Which trade-offs matter is yours to weigh — the rows below show where each country wins, with sources.
Head to head
Cost of living index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
67.7
Worse than 85% of countries
Italy
61.4
Worse than 82% of countries
Italy: 9% cheaper overall.
Rent index
Numbeo 2026 (NYC = 100)
France
22.3
Worse than 76% of countries
Italy
20.5
Worse than 70% of countries
Italy: 8% cheaper rents.
Peace — Global Peace Index
Institute for Economics & Peace (lower = more peaceful)
France
1.89
Better than 63% of countries
Italy
1.67
Better than 79% of countries
Italy: more peaceful (1.67 vs 1.89).
Perceived street safety
Numbeo Safety Index 2026
France
44.2
Worse than 77% of countries
Italy
52.7
Worse than 57% of countries
Italy: higher perceived safety (52.7 vs 44.2).
Human Development Index
UNDP Human Development Report
France
0.910
Better than 86% of countries
Italy
0.906
Better than 85% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
GDP per person (PPP)
World Bank · 2025
France
$63,975
Better than 85% of countries
Italy
$62,803
Better than 84% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Life expectancy
World Bank · 2024
France
83.0 yrs
Better than 89% of countries
Italy
84.0 yrs
Better than 95% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
Healthcare index
Numbeo Healthcare Index 2026
France
77.0
Better than 89% of countries
Italy
64.9
Around the global middle
France: better-rated healthcare (77.0 vs 64.9).
Fixed broadband speed
Ookla Speedtest Global Index
France
350 Mbps
Better than 98% of countries
Italy
114 Mbps
Better than 62% of countries
France: 206% faster fixed internet.
Press freedom
RSF World Press Freedom Index
France
77/100
Better than 86% of countries
Italy
65/100
Better than 68% of countries
France: freer press (77 vs 65 of 100).
Happiness
World Happiness Report (Cantril ladder 0–10)
France
6.59
Better than 76% of countries
Italy
6.57
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
English proficiency
EF English Proficiency Index
France
539
Better than 65% of countries
Italy
513
Around the global middle
France: stronger English proficiency (539 vs 513).
Climate pleasantness
Numbeo Climate Index 2026
France
89.6
Better than 73% of countries
Italy
89.8
Better than 74% of countries
Effectively tied — under 2% apart.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.
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70+ indicators: economy, safety, governance, climate and visas.