Italy has experienced a significant exodus of young, educated professionals over the past decade, with approximately 97,000 graduates leaving the country, according to the national statistics agency ISTAT. In 2024 alone, a record 21,000 graduates aged 25 to 34 emigrated, marking a 21.2% increase from the previous year.
ISTAT President Francesco Maria Chelli presented these findings during the agency’s annual report to the Lower House on Wednesday. He highlighted that the nation’s population, which began declining in 2014, fell below 59 million last year. The birth rate also reached a historic low in 2024, with only 370,000 births recorded and a fertility rate of 1.18 children per woman. Factors contributing to this decline include a reduction in the number of women of childbearing age and the increasing postponement of parenthood.
The trend of young graduates leaving Italy is attributed to limited domestic opportunities, wage disparities, and more favorable conditions abroad. Analysts warn that this “brain drain” could undermine Italy’s productivity and long-term economic growth.
In response to these challenges, the Italian government has revised its 2025 economic growth forecast downward to 0.6%, half of the previous target of 1.2%, citing global uncertainties and domestic issues.
Source: ANSA