Migration is an ancient phenomenon that continues to shape Italian identity. Today, about 6 million Italians live outside national borders, an impressive increase of 91% since 2006, with particularly sharp growth among those over 65.
Mobility is not just a question of seeking new opportunities, but also a question of rights — the right to migrate, to stay and to return.
The phenomenon of Italian migration
According to the Migrant Foundation, the number of Italians abroad has gone from just over 3 million to almost 6 million since 2006.
This increase reflects not only a search for better economic opportunities, but also an attempt to achieve a personal and family well-being that many feel is impossible in Italy.
Sicily, with more than 815 thousand emigrants, is the region with the largest Italian diaspora.
The demographic composition of emigrants
Statistics show that the demographic composition of Italians abroad is diverse and changing.
Approximately 48,2% of emigrants are women, and the predominantly young age group suggests that many are seeking better living conditions and career opportunities.
Around 23,2% of emigrants are between 35 and 49 years old, and 21,7% are between 18 and 34 years old.
This rejuvenation of the emigrant population contrasts with the aging trend of the resident population in Italy.
Changes in motivations to migrate
Traditionally, Italian emigration was driven by economic necessity. Today, however, motivation also includes the search for personal and professional fulfillment.
Many emigrants are highly qualified young people seeking environments with fewer gender barriers and better career prospects.
Delfina Licata, sociologist and coordinator of the research area at Fondazione Migrantes, highlights that the new wave of Italian migration is associated with a desire for personal and professional growth, rather than simply escaping poverty.
“From the various interviews we did, it emerges that the main cause is not work, but the realization of the self, an existential issue made up of several elements, including work, a higher income, but also a path of personal planning, of couple or family who wish to take place, or have already taken place, abroad. The desire to be with their relatives exists, but the lack of resources and the fear inherent in their home territories lead them to fulfill this desire abroad,” she says.
Impact of emigration in Italy
Emigration has a significant impact on Italy. With a loss of 132.405 residents in one year, the country faces a demographic challenge.
Furthermore, mobility continues to be predominantly unidirectional, with many emigrants hesitant to return due to a lack of recognition and appreciation for their experiences and skills acquired abroad.
“Contrary to what was thought eighteen years ago, the mobility of Italians never ended and Italy never went from a country of emigration to a country of immigration, but rather continued to be a country of mobility so much so that today, in the era of migration, the Italy is fully included as a mobility country, with inbound and outbound flows”, explains Licata.
Current presence of Italians abroad is predominantly European
Europe is home to more than 3,2 million Italians (54,7% of the total), while the American continent continues with more than 2,3 million (40,1%).
Today, the most numerous Italian communities are in Argentina, with more than 921 thousand registered (15,5% of the total), in Germany, with more than 822 thousand (13,9%), Brazil, with more than 799 thousand subscribers (13,3%), and Switzerland, with more than 639 thousand (10,8%). The data for Argentina, Germany and Switzerland are from 2022, while those for Brazil were updated in 2023.
France, the United Kingdom and the United States follow. In the first ten positions, three continents are represented: North and Latin America, Europe and Oceania, but it is not necessary to go beyond 27th position for all continents to be represented.
