by Guisela Chiarella
In a country known for its rich history, fine cuisine, and deep cultural roots, a modern crisis is taking hold: the exodus of young talent.
For years, Italy has struggled with a phenomenon known as the “brain drain,” as thousands of highly educated young professionals leave for better opportunities abroad. But in the northeastern region of Friuli Venezia Giulia, officials are now sounding the alarm and calling for systemic changes to reverse the trend.
“The issue is not a lack of skills,” said Alessia Rosolen, the regional councillor for labor and education, during a video address at a conference in Rome this week. “It’s about systemic shortcomings—low wages, limited career prospects, and the inability to balance work with private life.”
The numbers paint a stark picture. Between 2013 and 2023, 7,433 graduates left Friuli Venezia Giulia for opportunities abroad, nearly double the number of foreign graduates who moved to the region (3,680). Although the region gained more graduates from other parts of Italy than it lost (18,022 versus 15,013), many young professionals still find the local labor market unattractive.
Part of the problem, Rosolen noted, is salary disparity. While the average gross annual salary in the region is just under €25,000, young workers earn significantly less—about €14,420 on average. Those on temporary contracts make even less, with an annual salary of just €11,580, compared to €28,600 for those with permanent contracts.
“This is happening despite the fact that Friuli Venezia Giulia is one of the most innovative regions in Europe and has strong employment numbers,” Rosolen said.
Indeed, data from the third quarter of 2024 shows that the region’s employment figures are rising, with over 530,000 people currently employed—an increase of 1.7 percent compared to the same period in 2023 and 4 percent higher than in 2019. Unemployment is falling, down 9 percent, while overall inactivity in the workforce has declined by 3.5 percent. The employment rate now stands at 70.4 percent, one of the highest in Italy, and the gender gap has narrowed from 10.9 to 9.9 percent. The unemployment rate remains at a low 4.2 percent.
Yet, despite these positive indicators, businesses struggle to attract and retain young professionals.
“For years, we’ve focused on the labor market from the demand side,” Rosolen explained. “But today, the crisis is about supply—despite the fact that we invest 75 percent of our European Social Fund resources, around €280 million, into training and skill development.”
To address these challenges, the region is banking on new policies. A recent law, passed in line with Italy’s Industry 4.0initiative, will introduce a new technological and professional education track starting in the 2024-2025 academic year. The goal is to better align education with labor market needs and create a more appealing environment for young professionals.
But structural issues remain. Italy’s demographic decline is shrinking the labor force, and an aging workforce means many professionals lack up-to-date skills. Meanwhile, job insecurity, especially among young people and women, remains a persistent issue.
“The key is building a new social model—one that prioritizes welfare and tackles precarious work, involuntary part-time jobs, and labor market inactivity,” Rosolen said.
Her message was clear: The problem is not talent. The problem is making Italy a place where young people want to stay.
