L'Italo-Americano

www.italoamericano.org 8 THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 14, 2024 L'Italo-Americano I n recent years, Italy has faced a demo- graphic shift, with a rising number of citi- zens moving abroad in search of better opportuni- t i e s , w h i l e o n l y a s m a l l e r fraction of expatriates choos- es to return home. According t o t h e F o n d a z i o n e Migrantes' 19th report on Italians abroad, Italy has lost around 652,000 residents since 2020, while the num- ber of Italians living outside the country has increased by 11.8% in the same period. As of the latest report, over 6.1 million Italians are now reg- istered as living abroad, with regions like Sicily, Lombardy, and Veneto contributing sig- nificantly to this demograph- ic. In particular, 45.8% of these expatriates are from southern Italy, highlighting the economic challenges fac- ing Italy's southern regions. This shift poses a complex c h a l l e n g e , a s t h e t r e n d i m p a c t s r e g i o n s a l r e a d y s t r u g g l i n g w i t h e c o n o m i c depression and depopula- tion, and threatens the liveli- hood of Italian communities in these areas. While the Italian govern- ment implemented policies t o e n c o u r a g e I t a l i a n s t o return, particularly younger professionals, the effective- ness of these initiatives is l i m i t e d : t h e s a m e r e p o r t notes that incentives intro- duced in recent years had a mixed impact, with younger Italians, particularly those in the 30–40 age bracket, find- i n g t h e c u r r e n t e c o n o m i c landscape insufficiently sup- portive. As a result, the per- centage of returnees in this age group has dropped below 50%, largely due to the phas- ing out of certain financial b e n e f i t s : s i m p l y p u t , f o r many, the advantages of relo- cating back to Italy do not outweigh the potential career and financial opportunities available abroad. Despite these challenges, however, there is a smaller but steady trend of Italians who, for personal and cultur- al reasons, decide to return to Italy. For them, the choice is less about financial incen- tives and more about recon- necting with family, embrac- ing their culture, and seeking a simpler lifestyle. In an arti- cle published in The Local Italy a couple of years ago, S i l v i a M a r c h e t t i i n t e r - viewed Italians who left sta- b l e , h i g h - p a y i n g j o b s i n countries like Sweden and t h e U K t o r e t u r n t o t h e i r r o o t s ; m a n y o f t h e m e x p l a i n e d h o w , d e s p i t e enjoying the efficient social systems and high standard of living abroad, they missed the calore umano, human warmth, that defines Ital- ian social life. It's been the warmth of daily interactions, close family ties, and a sense of community to ultimately draw many of these former expats back. The slower pace of life in Italy also acts as a signifi- cant pull factor for those seeking a balanced lifestyle. Many expatriates who spent time in fast-paced interna- t i o n a l c i t i e s e x p e r i e n c e d b u r n o u t a n d , s o m e t i m e s , yearned to live life at a slow- er rhythm. Lara Statham, from Italics Magazine, high- l i g h t e d i n a p i e c e h o w r e t u r n i n g I t a l i a n s , indeed, often look forward to a simpler, more conscious way of living that prioritizes p e r s o n a l w e l l - b e i n g a n d community engagement. In one example presented by S t a t h a m , a y o u n g I t a l i a n who studied and worked in L o n d o n d e c i d e d t o l e a v e behind the busy urban envi- r o n m e n t f o r h i s f a m i l y ' s agriturismo, where he now practices sustainable farm- ing. For him, the move back represented a return to a lifestyle that is better aligned with his values, one that pri- oritizes quality over quantity and allows him to cultivate meaningful connections with family, friends, and nature. I n m y o w n c a s e , a f t e r s p e n d i n g h a l f o f m y l i f e abroad, I eventually chose to return to the Italian country- side where I grew up. The decision was deeply affected by my longing for a sense of belonging, the comfort of old friendships, and proximity to family. While my work with foreign companies — includ- ing our L'Italo Americano — allows me to bypass some o f t h e b u r e a u c r a t i c c h a l - lenges Italians face in local workplaces, I still value the chance to maintain a cos- mopolitan lifestyle through travel. This balance lets me enjoy both the grounding qualities of my Italian her- itage and the enriching expe- r i e n c e s o f i n t e r n a t i o n a l work, a lifestyle choice that many expatriates seem to be shaping for themselves upon their return. Many returnees also see their move back to Italy as an opportunity to support local industries and commu- nities, often starting small businesses in rural areas, just as discussed by Marchet- ti in her article. Frequently, their decision is driven by a desire to reconnect with Ital- ian traditions and enjoy a slower pace of life, even if it m e a n s a l o w e r i n c o m e . B e i n g c l o s e t o f a m i l y and having the opportunity to create a business that cele- brates local culture are also p a r t i c u l a r l y i m p o r t a n t a m o n g r e t u r n i n g I t a l i a n expats, who often like the idea of contributing to the amelioration of their town or village through what their experiences abroad taught them. But, if we want to have a full picture, we should also consider the difficulties that returning Italians encounter. Often, bureaucratic and pro- f e s s i o n a l l i m i t a t i o n s c a n make reintegration challeng- ing, especially for those who are accustomed to more flex- ible or meritocratic systems a b r o a d . M o r e o v e r , w h i l e Italy offers a high quality of life, returning expatriates often find it hard to navigate the local job market, with its preference for traditional h i e r a r c h i e s a n d l i m i t e d career advancement path- ways: this professional rigid- ity can be a significant barri- er, particularly for younger returnees who hope to apply their international experi- ence and skills in Italy but f i n d t h e l o c a l j o b m a r k e t restrictive. I n t h e e n d , l e a v i n g o r returning are never simple decisions. Coming back to Italy often involves balancing the attractiveness of Italian l i f e a g a i n s t t h e p r a c t i c a l challenges of living here but, f o r t h o s e w h o m a k e s u c h choice, the opportunity to reconnect with their own r o o t s a n d r e d i s c o v e r t h e essence of their very own identity is worth more than anything else. LUCA SIGNORINI Leaving and returning: why Italy's brain-drain continues, yet many choose to come back Young Italians have been seeking fortune abroad but there are some who decide to come back home (Image created with DALL- E 2) LIFE PEOPLE PLACES EVENTS

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