Italy is a land of immigration but also of emigration. The Italians abroad I'm almost six millions (5.933.418 registered as of 1 January 2023 in AIRE, the registry of Italians residing abroad) and represent approximately 10,1% of the Italian population. From 2006 to today, the Italian presence beyond national borders has highlighted a + 91% growth, although since Covid-19 growth has slowed down, also showing a new phase characterized by the return of internal migration.
Le italian lady abroad they have almost doubled (+99,3%), i minor increased by +78,3% and the over 65 by +109,8%. Those born abroad have grown since 2006 by +175%, acquisitions of citizenship by +144%, departures for expatriation by +44,9%, transfers from other AIRE by +70%. But above all it is the escape of the young to cause concern. In 2022, 44% of those who left Italy were young people between 18 and 34 years old. A percentage that has increased by two percentage points compared to previous years, which highlights continuous growth despite the number of young people looking for a new future far from our borders.
This data is recorded by the 18th Italians in the World Report 2023 presented by Migrant Foundation of the CEI and edited by Delfina Licata who analyzes the evolution of the migratory flows of Italians.
Away from Italy for revenge and desire
Registrations in the Italian Registry for residents abroad (Aire) for expatriation in 2022 decreased by 2,1% compared to the previous year, totaling 82.014 Italians. Despite this, many people who emigrate for work delay registering with the Aire, creating a sort of “modern illegal immigrants”.
The main motivations for expatriation are related to search for growth opportunities and desire to escape situations of economic fragility. This is why Italy residing abroad is ever younger. In fact, young people and young adults, disappointed by the situation in Italy, are looking for spaces that satisfy their thirst for personal and professional growth, heading abroad.
And so theItaly is rejuvenating abroad constantly. 23,2% (over 1,3 million) of residents registered with Aire are between 35 and 49 years old, and more than 1,2 million are between 18 and 34 years old. 40,4% were born abroad to Italians. The level of education is predominantly medium-high (around 58% have at least a diploma).
Looking at older age groups, 19,5% (over 1,1 million) of the Italian community abroad are between 50 and 64 years old, while those over 65 represent 21,1%. Minors make up more than 855 thousand people, corresponding to 14,4% of the Italian population abroad.
On the front of marital status, 58,2% of Aire members are celibate or single, while 35,3% are married. Widowers represent 2,2%, numerically exceeded by divorced people (2,8%). Furthermore, there was an increase in civil unions, which amounted to 3.815.
The presence of women abroad is increasing
Almost there half of the community Italian abroad, equal to 48,2% (over 2,8 million) of the total 6 million, is made up of women. The female presence is doubled since 2006, and according to the Migrantes Report, it is no longer just a question of "migrant women pushed to move to reunite with men", but of "modern and dynamic women, also motivated by the prospect of an independent life, greater economic well-being and a more rewarding career".
Europe favorite destination
Most of the Italian community it is mainly found abroad in Europe, welcoming over 3,2 million compatriots, corresponding to 54,7% of the total. The American continent follows with over 2,3 million, representing 40,1% of the global Italian presence abroad.
In 2022, the majority of Italians who chose to expatriate opted for Europe, representing 75,3% of departures. The main destinations European countries include the United Kingdom (16,4%), Germany (13,8%), France (10,4%), and Switzerland (9,1%). Overall, these four European countries welcome half of the total departures.
17,1% chose the American continent, of which 10,5% headed to Latin America, while the remaining 7,4% spread across the rest of the world.
Le larger Italian communities abroad they are mainly found in Argentina, with over 921 thousand members (15,5% of the total), followed by Germany with over 822 thousand (13,9%) and Switzerland with over 639 thousand (10,8%). Followed by Brazil, France, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
The length of experience abroad varies, with 51% residing for more than 15 years and 19,3% for less than 5 years. Approximately 49% are abroad for expatriation, while 40,4% were born abroad to Italian citizens. Citizenship acquisitions are increasing by 3,3%.
South main territory of emigration
Il the south continues to depopulate. The 46,5 % of Italians residing abroad comes from the South (with the islands alone reaching 15,9%), 37,8% from the North (of which 19,1% from the North West) and 15,8% from the Centre.
La Sicilia it is the most represented region of origin, with over 815 thousand compatriots, followed by Lombardy, Campania, Veneto and Lazio, all with over 500 thousand residents abroad.
During 2022, 53,9% of people who chose to expatriate Italy came from the north, 30,2% from the South and 15,9% from the Centre.
Retirees abroad are growing
Since 2012, the Migrantes Foundation and INPS have monitored the Italian pensioners abroad, those who return to Italy or are part of the migratory flows leaving the country. The mobility of pensioners has shown variations over time. In 2019, annual departures were almost 6 thousand, decreasing drastically in 2020 and 2021. In 2023, AIRE registrations for the expatriation of over 65 there were 4.300. There was an increase of +17,8% for those aged 65-74, +15,1% for 75-84 years and +5,3% for those aged over eighty-five compared to the previous year.
Retirees choose to emigrate to countries with advantageous tax conditions, like Portugal or Tunisia for public employees, a lower cost of living, a favorable climate and good medical services. Furthermore, the motivation is often to reunite with children and grandchildren.
Repatriations double
A notable one occurred between 2012 and 2021 increase in repatriations of compatriots, going from 29 thousand in 2012 to around 75 thousand in 2021 (+154%), overcoming the phenomenon of expatriations which has always seen negative migration balances.
La Lombardy is the region that attracts the largest number of workers returning from abroad, with an estimated percentage of 42% in 2023. A relative increase in returns is also observed in the southern regions, thanks to tax incentives for workers. Despite this, the increase in repatriations is not sufficient to compensate for the loss of population due to expatriations.
The Migrantes Foundation suggests that i repatriations and youth smart working, if supported by an adequate legislative framework, could constitute a effective means of repopulation of internal areas, also contributing to retain young people.
Mattarella: “Working abroad is an opportunity but returning to Italy is our challenge”
On the occasion of the presentation of the Report, the President of the Italian Republic, Sergio Mattarella, wanted to send a message to the Migrantes Foundation to talk about the phenomenon of emigration.
“Italy, in recent history, has experienced seasons of strong emigration. Today we are witnessing a different mobility towards foreign countries. Italy seems destined for a drastic demographic decline, with the associated risks of depletion of resources and energy on a social, economic and cultural level and with a negative impact on many aspects of social life. In contrast, the Italian community outside Italy is growing. It is, in part, a phenomenon connected to globalization, internationalization, the opening of borders, and the slow but growing creation of a common European feeling among the younger generations. Italians are welcome and appreciated everywhere, for their culture, tenacity and creativity. Working abroad is a great opportunity for our young people of human and professional growth and must be a free choice, not a de facto obligation. If - after a training course in Italy - you are forced to leave the national territory due to lack of employment or satisfactory prospects and, above all, once you have acquired valuable knowledge and experience, you are no longer able to return, you are faced with a pathology, which needs to be remedied. When we cannot bring professionalism back to our country, experiences, human resources, it is the entire community that is impoverished. Identifying concrete paths to guarantee that those who wish to return to Italy in satisfactory working conditions is a fundamental challenge that institutions and politics must be able to meet. For the future of our country we need a new and adequate vision."
