“Bye Mom, I’m off to seek a better future.” How many families from the South have had to face this harsh reality? Over the past decades, while political attention seems directed elsewhere, Southern Italy has witnessed an inexorable depopulation. Between 2002 and 2021, over 2.5 million people left the South, primarily heading to the Central and Northern regions of Italy (81%). The net loss for the South? About 1.1 million residents, among which the young, especially graduates, stand out. According to ISTAT projections, in the next 50 years, we will witness a progressive demographic decline, from 59 million inhabitants in 2022 to less than 46 million in 2080. Without succumbing to alarmism, we aim to open eyes to the problems of our inner areas, neglected and in a state of abandonment.
The Employment problem: educated youth fleeing the south
One of the critical issues for young people in the South is the lack of solid and lasting employment opportunities. Precariousness and unsustainably low wages dominate. It is not rare to find offers for unpaid internships or meager compensations, around 500 euros a month. Imagine: a thirty-year-old trying to make ends meet with just 600/700 euros a month. Faced with these conditions, undeclared work becomes a strong temptation, fueling a vicious cycle that strengthens crime and annihilates any form of protection for workers.
An island without a sea: the isolation of the Campanian hinterland
Another significant obstacle for the youth of the South, particularly in the Campanian hinterland, is the limited access to essential services, including public transport. For those living far from major urban centers, moving becomes a difficult, if not impossible, task without a car, leaving many young people in almost total isolation. This lack not only complicates daily commutes but severely limits access to work, education, and socialization opportunities, essential for personal and professional development.
Forgotten healthcare: when health travels north
Another crucial issue deeply affecting the quality of life in the South is the state of healthcare. The hospital facilities, often overcrowded and under-equipped, along with a shortage of specialists, make medical care precarious, forcing many to seek assistance in the North. The choice to “migrate for healthcare” becomes a painful but necessary option for many.
Focus on the province of Benevento: a microcosm of the South
In the heart of the province of Benevento, we have selected two cities that represent glaring examples of depopulation dynamics and socio-economic challenges afflicting the South. We analyze the data to better understand the situation. Site: https://www.tuttitalia.it/
Graph of Sant’Agata de’ Goti:
Graph of Telese Terme:
The two graphs, called Age Pyramids, represent the distribution of the resident population in Sant’Agata de’ Goti and Telese Terme by age, sex, and marital status as of January 1, 2023. The data takes into account the results of the Permanent Census of the Population.
The thinning pyramid: the case of Sant’Agata de’ Goti
The age pyramid of Sant’Agata de’ Goti reveals a worrying and dramatic picture. The analysis of the five-year age groups shows that families are having fewer children and that the young have left the town. The consistency of the older age groups is significant, with a peak in the 65-69 age group. If young people are the future, their scarcity signals an alarm bell for the vitality and sustainability of the community.
Telese Terme: a demographic pyramid that tells stories
The demographic structure of Telese Terme, although in relatively more favorable conditions compared to Sant’Agata de’ Goti, shows similar trends; the base of the pyramid is narrow, indicating a low birth rate and the emigration of young people. The pyramid suggests that Telese Terme, like many towns in Southern Italy, is facing the problem of an aging population and the decrease of the young.
Revolution or inexorable decline?
Our investigation, focusing on Sant’Agata de Goti and Telese Terme, has revealed a reality that mirrors a broader issue, a challenge shared throughout Southern Italy. In some places, the situation is even more critical. Despite the disillusionment caused by years of abandonment and neglect, these towns remain invaluable jewels, rich in greenery, historical and artistic heritage, excellent gastronomy, and welcoming communities. This is the moment to reverse the trend, to invest in the future, and for the young to say: “Mom, I’m coming home, to contribute to a better tomorrow.”
