Even though, the indicator of Chokepoints did not change over the observed period, Italy still stands out as a naval power, controlling 10 chokepoints, ranking fourth.  Only gaining a small increase in exports, Rome loses in Country Share compared to the other G19. Moreover, the country’s increase in GDP (PPP) and Military Spending was only very slight, likewise leading to a decrease in Rome’s Country Share. In addition, Italy observed a heavy blow to its economic strength losing three of its nine Top Companies. Despite being tied for first in its absolute amount of UNESCO World Heritages, listing 55 sites together with China while counting three new inscriptions between 2016 and 2020, Italy slightly lost in terms of Country Share in this dimension due to 102 new inscriptions across the globe.

Strikingly, Italy and Japan were the only two countries who managed to enlarge the number of their top universities, each by two. With regard to Italy, three new universities made it to the top 200 in 2017, tripling Italy’s Country Share. However, one fell out of the top 200 again in 2020.