Province of Ogliastra
The province of Ogliastra is a province in the autonomous region of Sardinia in Italy. The province has two capitals; Lanusei and Tortolì. Ogliastra is the most mountainous province in Sardinia. With 53,984 inhabitants as of 2025, it is also the least populous province of Italy. The province has a population density of 29 inhabitants per square kilometer, also making it the least densely populated province of Italy.
It was established in 2005 from a section of the province of Nuoro, however it was disestablished 2016 Regional Decree and integrated back into the province of Nuoro, and then re-established on 1 May 2025 per a 2021 decree.
History
The province of Ogliastra roughly corresponds to the medieval Judicate of Agugliastra.The province was founded in 2001 when the number of Sardinian provinces was doubled.
On 6 May 2012, the regional referendums of Sardinia took place regarding the abolition of certain provinces and a variety of other matters. The suggestion of reforming or abolishing certain provinces in Sardinia was approved by the Regional Council of Sardinia on 24 May 2012. Due to this, the province of Ogliastra was ordered to form a new administrative body or be abolished on 1 March 2013, but this expiry date for constitutional changes was extended to 1 July 2013. After the regional law number 15 of 28 June 2013, the province was allowed to maintain its functions, before it was eventually disestablished in 2016, all of its municipalities but one joined the Province of Nuoro, with the municipality of Seui joining the newly-established Province of South Sardinia.
In April 2021, under Sardinian Regional Council's Regional Law Nr. 7, the province was restored with 22 municipalities; the municipality of Seulo remained a part of the province of Nuoro, whilst the comune of Seui joined the metropolitan city of Cagliari. Whilst the Italian government challenged the law, thus stalling its implementation, on March 12, 2022, the Constitutional Court ruled in favor of the Autonomous Region of Sardinia. On April 13, 2023, the regional council, at the proposal of the regional government, approved an amendment to the 2021 reform, defining the timeframe and manner of its implementation, which became effective on 1 May 2025.
Geography
Facing the Tyrrhenian Sea to the east, it borders the metropolitan city of Cagliari to the southwest and the province of Nuoro to the northwest. It contained the river Flumendosa and the lake of Basso Flumendosa, and it also contained large massif Gennargentu.Government
Municipalities
- Arzana
- Bari Sardo
- Baunei
- Cardedu
- Elini
- Gairo
- Girasole
- Ilbono
- Jerzu
- Lanusei
- Loceri
- Lotzorai
- Osini
- Perdasdefogu
- Seui
- Talana
- Tertenia
- Tortolì
- Triei
- Ulassai
- Urzulei
- Ussassai
- Villagrande Strisaili
Demographics
As of 2025, the province of Ogliastra has a population of 53,984, of which 49.5% are male and 50.5% are female, compared to the nationwide average of 49.0% and 51.0% respectively. Minors make up 13.6% of the population, and seniors make up 27.6%, compared to the Italian average of 14.9% and 24.7% respectively.As of 2025, the foreign-born population is 2,696, making up 5.0% of the total population.