Traditionally, the main occupations were agriculture, livestock tending, and viticulture. Due to limited farming land, there was some emigration of artisans and artists, first to the cities of northern Italy and central Italy, and later overseas. In the 19th century, the silk and later the tobacco industry developed in the municipality. The first factory in Stabio was the Realini shirt factory which was founded in 1902. It was acquired in 1976 by the Ermenegildo Zegna Group; in 2005 it had 900 employees. The hot springs were discovered in 1850 and led to the establishment of mineral baths in Stabio. The water is still being used for therapeutic treatments at the beginning of the 21st century.