Teacher shortages rise in Northern Italy due to high living costs

Rising living costs and high housing prices are causing a significant shortage of permanent teachers across Northern and Central Italy. Many educators, particularly those relocating from Southern Italy, are refusing permanent positions (immissione in ruolo) because monthly salaries of approximately €1,450–€1,480 are insufficient to cover urban rents that can reach €1,000 per month.

Data indicates widespread refusals of teaching assignments. In Tuscany, 300 teachers declined roles out of 2,000 authorized positions. Friuli Venezia Giulia reports 383 vacancies out of 1,097 posts, and Liguria saw 562 refusals out of 1,407 appointments. Lombardy faces a critical situation with thousands of unfilled positions, especially in primary schools.

As a result, the new school year faces a deficit of over 200,000 substitute teachers needed to cover vacancies. Labor unions, including Anief, are calling for government intervention, specifically requesting relocation allowances for out-of-station workers and tax breaks for rent and transportation to stabilize the workforce.