by Guisela Chiarella
Young workers across Italy are earning less than many retirees, a stark indication of widening economic disparities and stagnant wages affecting the country’s younger generation.
Recent data reveals that salaries for young workers have fallen by 17 percent, widening the income gap with those in their fifties. Over the past four years, wages for young Italians have dropped by as much as 23 percent, reflecting a broader trend of low pay, precarious employment, and limited opportunities for professional advancement.
Massimiliano Fedriga, governor of Friuli Venezia Giulia, spoke to InTrieste magazine about the national challenge. “We discuss the issue of wages, which cannot be solved solely through universal basic income or minimum wage,” Fedriga said. “Instead, we need a comprehensive strategy involving institutions, employers, and unions to tackle this problem, which is particularly severe in Italy compared to other European countries.”
Fedriga emphasized that incomes in Italy have barely grown in twenty years, resulting in significant losses in purchasing power for families. This stagnation contrasts with wage trends in countries such as France, Germany, and Spain, where incomes have increased more substantially.
“The public sector must contribute, and we must work with unions to link higher wages to increased productivity,” Fedriga added. “All stakeholders must contribute to address this serious issue and catch up with countries like France, Germany, and Spain.”
The ongoing challenges of low pay, job insecurity, and limited career growth opportunities are key factors driving many young Italians to seek work abroad, exacerbating the country’s demographic and economic concerns.
