Basilicata ranks 15th in Youth Friendly Index

Basilicata has ranked 15th nationally in the Confartigianato Youth Friendly Territories Index (ICYF) 2026. The region received a score of 469 points, indicating that the local environment is not yet sufficiently favorable for young people seeking to build futures through work and entrepreneurship.

The ICYF report, titled ‘Where the future takes root. Youth, businesses and territories that generate value’, evaluates 21 out of 27 variables across four pillars: Work, Enterprise, Skills, and Territory. The findings suggest a need for comprehensive intervention to improve the conditions that allow young people to remain, work, and invest within the region.

Rosa Gentile, president of Confartigianato Basilicata, stated that the results show significant room for improvement. She emphasized that rather than simply asking youth to stay, the region must create an environment where staying is a viable and convenient choice, integrating employment, training, and quality of life.