Italy's Migration Surge: A Decade-High Trend

Italy sees a decade-high in migration numbers, with more Italians leaving and foreigners arriving. While the right-wing government seeks to curb immigration, the country faces labor shortages. Economic stagnation and low wages drive Italians abroad, with former immigrants also departing for better opportunities.

Italy is experiencing a significant surge in migration, reaching its highest levels in a decade, official data revealed on Friday. The trend is raising national concerns about brain drain, economic stagnation, and immigration.

Despite a right-wing government elected in 2022 with a mandate to limit migrant arrivals, Italy's shrinking population and increasing labor shortages underline the importance of attracting foreign workers. The nation's underperforming economy and low wages, which have fallen below the levels of 1990 in inflation-adjusted terms, are pushing many Italians abroad in search of better prospects.

According to Istat, last year saw 382,071 foreigners move to Italy—the highest influx since 2014—while 155,732 Italians emigrated, also a decade high. The data, gathered from town registry offices, show that undocumented migration is likely unaccounted for. Ukrainians were the largest group among new arrivals, followed by other nationalities including Albanians and Bangladeshis. Meanwhile, Italy's impoverished southern regions, especially Calabria, are seeing continued depopulation as residents relocate to northern areas.

(With inputs from agencies.)