Italians are emigrating more and more, particularly to France

France is the fifth country of destination for Italians: there are around 460,000 living there. A book and a report discuss their journeys.

Their name is Luca de Meo, the boss of Renault; Carla Bruni, Monica Bellucci or even Vittoria Colizza, epidemiologist who we heard a lot in France during Covid. Journalist Dario Maltese tells their story in a book, The Italians.

An Italian expression says that the French have “the puzza under the nose” : they always seem to breathe a bad smell around them, a slightly superior air. But this apparent arrogance does not correspond, according to Dario Maltese, to any feeling of French superiority: “Let’s not stop at the somewhat haughty appearance of the French, he advises. We Italians must free ourselves from an inferiority complex towards the French. It is not justified at all.”

“Every time I go to France, I hear words of great consideration for Italy. Everything Italian is very popular in France.”

Dario Maltese

at franceinfo

These personalities, among whom there is also the writer, Grand Prix de l’Académie française, Giuliano da Empoli, say that if you speak the language, a very important criterion in France, the doors open wide. One remark often comes up: it is the ability of the French to create a system, to combine talents, to highlight them, to highlight their strengths.

Many young graduates are leaving Italy

These stories echo a recently published report on Italian emigration by the Migrantes foundation, which paints a mirror image of Italy, which remains a country of emigration. In less than 20 years, the number of Italians living abroad has increased from three to six million. And recent emigration is different from that of the 20th century: these are fairly, even highly educated people. Nearly half of those who left last year are between 18 and 34 years old, and the first two regions of departure are rich regions, Lombardy and Veneto, where there is work.

If young Italians leave, it is not necessarily to look for a job, or perhaps a better salary, but above all because they have the impression that the social elevator in their country is blocked. To put it very simply, businesses and institutions are in the hands of old people and it is difficult in Italy to progress and make a career.

Beyond the drain of talent, one of Italy’s great weaknesses is its demographics. The number of inhabitants is decreasing. And these young adults who leave have children, but abroad. It would not be amiss for the Italian government to look into Dario Maltese’s book and this report.