Meritocratic, innovative and international: this is the Italy that the under 24s dream about. This is stated by the survey on the perception that young people have of their own future and of Italy, elaborated exclusively for Prelios Sgr and presented at Palazzo Pallavicini Rospigliosi on the occasion of the meeting "Is there a future in Italy for our grandchildren?".
Over 75% of the under 24s hope for an Italy that is innovative first of all, but also respectful of the environment (68%), international, enterprising. 73% of those interviewed want a more meritocratic Italy, 63% politically forward-looking and within a pro-European vision.
Yet they have a very precise idea of how they would like their country: 43% hope for a multi-ethnic Italy, a society where the propensity for openness and contamination with other contexts and populations is higher. But also an identity of the future that has its roots in tradition, in the most vocational aspects of the country.
Observing the under 24s from the point of view of consumption and the propensity to save, it emerges that this is the only generation which has so far lacked the possibility of improving their economic condition. More than half of the interviewees declare that their economic situation has worsened in the last 5 years.
Comparing these data with the scenarios elaborated by social security itineraries, the prospect is even more alarming. For all young people who have started working since 1 January 1996, there will no longer be integration at a minimum and there will not even be social increases in pensions . Those who have not paid enough will have to work even in old age.
Young people therefore have a hard time setting aside savings and sociological research describes them as little ants, unlike the older ones who feel deprived or eroded because, having known greater wealth, they now feel the decrease in their purchasing power is greater. Despite everything, the little ants think that their income is still sufficient to meet current needs (60,2%), but they change their consumption styles.
They spend less and pay attention to savings. They are more sober and less hedonistic than their fathers and grandfathers, they choose quality with an eye on costs. Young people tend to be much harsher judges of themselves than older generations: despite all this, most still see themselves as an asset and an innovative force for the country.
Sergio Iasi, chief executive officer of Prelios, said that "with the series of meetings inaugurated today, Prelios intends to affirm its commitment to look to the future with a proactive spirit, after having faced the worst economic crisis in the sector since the post-war period, and having left the worse behind. We do it together with the protagonists of the economic, social and political life, to discuss the potential dynamics of development and the priorities for the relaunch of our country".
