Tamils in Italy are people of ethnic Tamil ancestry who reside in Italy. Recent estimates indicate that around 25,000 Tamils from both Sri Lanka and India are living in Italy.[1][2]

Tamils in Italy
Total population
25,000
Regions with significant populations
Milan, Palermo, Rome
Languages
Tamil, Italian, English
Religion
Hinduism (~95%), Catholicism (~5%)

History of Migration

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Though it is not established when the migration of Tamil people to Italy started, Tamils were reported to have migrated to Milan during the 1980s.[3] More migrants came during the Sri Lankan Civil War, which commenced in 1983. It is estimated that Sri Lankan Tamils constitute at least a third of the Sri Lankan immigrants in Italy.[3]

The Tamil Diaspora is concentrated predominantly in Palermo, Catania, Milan, Reggio Emilia, Naples, Bologna and Lecce, where a number of cultural and linguistic organizations are based.[3]

References

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  1. ^ "Tamil Nation - Tamil Diaspora in Italy". Retrieved 17 October 2013.
  2. ^ ""World Tamil Population", tamilo.com
  3. ^ a b c "Sri Lankan Diaspora in Italy" (PDF). Retrieved 17 October 2013.