Italy's underground economy in Italy is estimated to have generated around 549 bln euros ($808.5 bln) in 2007, according to a research carried by the Rome-based think-thank Eurispes.
The money generated by the underground economy was equal to at least 35.5% of Italy's gross domestic product (GDP) for 2007, the 'Rapporto Italia 2008' said.
The 549 billion euro figure equals the combined GDPs of Finland, Portugal, Romania and Hungary.
Adding 549 bln euros to the money generated by criminal activities in Italy, the total comes to some 725 bln euros ($1.06 trln), according to Eurispes.
The money generated by criminal activities in Italy accounted for some 11.3% of the country's GDP, Rapporto Italia 2008 data says.
