In recent years, Italy has experienced a significant demographic decline, with 652 thousand fewer residents since 2020. Paradoxically, the number of Italians who have chosen to live abroad has increased, recording an increase of 11.8% in the same period. According to the 19th Report Italians in the World by the Migrantes Foundation, over 6 million and 134 thousand Italians currently reside outside national borders.
The report highlights the consequences of emigration on territories already affected by economic difficulties and depopulation.
“The repercussions of the current emigration are a crucial issue that deserves attention at all levels”, the document underlines, highlighting the need for policies to promote the re-attractiveness of the Italian regions. Sicily is confirmed in 2024 as the region with the highest number of Italian citizens registered abroad, with 826 thousand citizens. Lombardy and Veneto follow with 641 thousand and 563 thousand registered respectively. The Report reveals that 45.8% of Italians resident abroad come from the South, while over 2.3 million are originally from the North.
The migratory phenomenon is undergoing a significant change: the regional origin of emigrants is diversifying.
“Departures now affect the entire national territory”, states the report, highlighting a complex migratory panorama influenced by various factors such as study and work. Furthermore, the average age of those moving abroad is also changing. In 2024, the percentage of over 40s among emigrants increased, while that of young people between 20 and 30 years old decreased. This trend reflects a negative effect of recent changes to tax breaks that penalize young families.
The debate on citizenship has remained unresolved for two decades. The Migrantes Foundation stresses the urgency of developing an active citizenship, capable of including all compatriots regardless of their residence. Looking to the future, Italy is facing crucial challenges related to the low birth rate and demographic winter. It is essential to adopt measures that not only encourage the return of emigrants but also attract new generations to the country.
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