The number of Italians who moved abroad to seek work in 2012 increased by 28.8% compared with 2011, according to the annual report by the Censis research agency released last Friday.
The research showed that in the past decade the number of people leaving Italy more than doubled, from 50,000 in 2002 to 106,000 in 2012. However, the numbers jumped dramatically between 2011 and 2012, according to Censis, which conducted its survey in October 2013.
54.1% of those who moved were under 35, and the vast majority, 72%, said they have moved for employment reasons. Censis also reported that more than one million households said that at least one family member is living abroad. It also found that 44% of young Italians living abroad have no plans to return to their home country to live, while almost 25% are unsure.
Among the reasons for leaving, almost 55% cited their frustration with what they see as an employment system based on personal relationships rather than merit. Others mentioned poor quality of services and a waste of public money as factors they dislike about Italy.
