Southern Italy faces economic growth amid rising youth emigration

Southern Italy is experiencing a complex economic landscape characterized by growth alongside significant demographic challenges. According to SVIMEZ data, the GDP of the Mezzogiorno grew by 0.7% in 2025, outperforming the 0.5% growth seen in Central and Northern Italy. Between 2021 and 2024, the southern economy saw an overall increase of 8.5% and the addition of nearly half a million jobs.

Despite this economic expansion, a structural crisis persists regarding the retention of skilled human capital. A forum held in Syracuse highlighted that economic growth and investment have not been sufficient to stop the exodus of young people. In 2024 alone, approximately 23,000 young graduates moved to Central and Northern Italy, while over 8,000 moved abroad.

Long-term trends show a massive loss of talent; between 2002 and 2024, nearly 350,000 southern graduates under the age of 35 relocated to the North, resulting in a net loss of roughly 270,000 people. SVIMEZ estimates the value of the resources invested in the education of these individuals at 132 billion euros between 2000 and 2024.