Young Italians in European countries: social and economic perspective

The number of Italian youngsters (aged from 15 to 34 years old) residing in EU and EFTA countries numbered 758,000 at 1 January 2015. This figure was obtained from the official Consular Registry, which contains administrative records on Italians residing abroad. The Archive is of high statistical quality, being the result of the application of Law 459 of 27.12.2001, concerning the voting rights of Italian citizens living abroad. We analysed data on young Italians residing in EU and EFTA countries. Most of these youngsters live in Germany, Switzerland, France, Belgium and the UK. A very high percentage of youngsters of Italian nationality living abroad were born outside Italy (almost eighty per cent). The specific nature of the data source makes it possible to measure variables that are not always available, such as the Italian areas of origin, gender, type of activity performed (study, training or work) and family ties. We used regression models to study the patterns of residence abroad and the relationship between the immigration coutries and the specific areas of origin of young Italians. Moreover, the paper aims to describe the main demopgraphic features – such as educational level and occupational status – which affect on the choice of the destination country of Italian youngsters (Germany and Switzerland; France and UK; Spain and Belgium).