Billie Fusto isn't chasing a hefty paycheck; he's training to be an archivist and dreams of a peaceful life in Italy. However, like many young Italian graduates, the 24-year-old fears he may have no choice but to emigrate. Over a million Italians have left the country in the past decade, with a third of them aged between 25 and 34, according to national data. Those departing often cite low salaries and lack of recognition for their skills. The proportion of graduates leaving has been increasing.
"I'm not seeking wealth... or significant responsibilities," said Fusto, who hails from Calabria and is pursuing a master's degree in Rome. "I just want a quiet life where I don't worry about having 15 euros for groceries," he told AFP. "But that's not guaranteed in Italy right now."
Migration has become a contentious issue, with nearly nine young Italians leaving for every young foreigner settling in Italy, according to a report by the Italian North East Foundation. "It's not normal that our country doesn't question why this is happening and doesn't address this exodus," said Renato Brunetta, president of the National Council for Economics and Labour (CNEL), during the report's presentation in October.
Some, especially from Italy's poorer south, move to the wealthier northern regions in search of better opportunities. The share of graduates among them has risen from 18 to 58 percent over the past two decades. However, even in the industrialized north, working conditions can be less attractive than elsewhere. Italy is one of the few OECD countries where real wages have declined since 2019. The youth unemployment rate is also higher than the European average, standing at 17.7 percent in October, compared to 15.2 percent across the EU.
Workplaces in Italy are perceived as unmeritocratic, with no national minimum wage and salaries not increasing in line with years of higher education. Elena Picardi returned to Rome after studying political science in France but is losing hope of finding a job in Italy. "More often than not, Italian job offers either don't specify the salary or it's generally lower," the 24-year-old told AFP. The difference can be several hundred euros per month for the same position in other European countries.
The Italian "brain drain" has cost the country an estimated 134 billion euros between 2011 and 2023, according to the North East Foundation. Many who return do so to be closer to their families, while others stay out of necessity rather than choice. The average age for leaving the family home in Italy in 2022 was 30, one of the oldest in the EU, with only Spain and Greece having older averages. The exodus of young people is particularly concerning given Italy's ageing population. The ratio of people in employment to those not working is expected to increase from three to two currently, to around one to one by 2050, according to the National Institute of Statistics.
In an effort to reverse the trend, Italy offers tax incentives for highly qualified or specialist Italian workers living abroad who return home, with even bigger cuts for those who bring children with them.
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