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Overview of labor market in Italy in 2024 and role of Ukrainians in it – Experts Club

3 November , 2024  

Italy, as one of the leading economies in the European Union, continues to recover from the pandemic and crisis of recent years. However, the labor market is facing many challenges, such as a demographic decline, an aging population, and pressure from migration flows. In the first half of 2024, the Italian labor market showed mixed results: improvement in some sectors and stagnation in others.

The Experts Club Information and Analytical Center analyzed the main trends in the Italian economy, the situation on the labor market and the situation of Ukrainian citizens staying in Italy.

The minimum wage in Italy is still not set at the national level. The issue of introducing a minimum wage has been discussed in the country for a long time, but at the moment, the terms of remuneration are regulated by collective agreements concluded by trade unions and employers in various industries. On average, the minimum wage under the agreements is about 8-9 euros per hour, which, if you are fully employed, corresponds to about 1,300-1,500 euros per month.

According to Experts Club, salaries in Italy vary by region, qualification, and industry. Let’s take a look at the average salaries in the main sectors of the economy:

  • IT and technology: The average salary for programmers and cybersecurity specialists ranges from 30,000 to 50,000 euros per year. In large companies, the level of payment can reach 70,000 euros for experienced professionals.
  • Production and engineering: Salaries for engineers range from 25,000 to 45,000 euros per year, depending on the region and experience.
  • Tourism and hospitality: Employees of hotels and restaurants receive an average of about 20,000 euros per year. During peak seasons, there is an increase in temporary employment, especially in tourist regions.
  • Healthcare: Doctors and medical specialists earn an average of 35,000 to 60,000 euros per year, depending on their specialization and region.
  • Education: School and university teachers earn between 25,000 and 40,000 euros per year. At universities, professors’ salaries can reach 60,000 euros or more.

Employment trends:

  1. Growing demand for IT professionals. The information technology sector continues to grow rapidly, especially in areas such as cybersecurity, software development, and cloud computing.
  2. Demographic crisis and population aging. As a result of the decline in the number of young people, Italy is facing a shortage of skilled labor. This is particularly evident in the construction, healthcare and elderly care sectors.
  3. Growth of flexible forms of employment. As the country recovers from the pandemic, there has been an increase in the number of contracts with flexible working hours, including part-time and temporary contracts.
  4. Integration of migrants. Migrants continue to play an important role in the economy, especially in agriculture, construction, and elderly care.

As of the beginning of 2024, there are about 5 million migrants in Italy, which is almost 9% of the total population. The main nationalities among migrants:

  • Romanians – about 1.2 million.
  • Albanians – about 500 thousand.
  • Moroccans – about 450 thousand.
  • Ukrainians – about 250 thousand officially (unofficially over 1 million).

At the beginning of 2024, the number of Ukrainian citizens in Italy increased significantly due to the war in Ukraine. As of February 2024, there are more than 254,000 Ukrainians in Italy who are officially registered with temporary protection. However, the actual number of Ukrainians in the country may exceed 1 million, given the constant flow of refugees and migrants, as well as those who have not officially registered.

These migrants are mainly employed in agriculture, construction, and services related to elderly and childcare. Ukrainians, for example, after the outbreak of war in 2022, made up a significant share of home care workers.

According to the Experts Club information and analytical center, one of the main challenges for Italy is the integration of migrants into the economy. Some sectors are facing a shortage of skilled workers, while others are facing the problem of excess labor, especially among young people. In the coming years, the government will continue to implement programs aimed at supporting the integration and training of young professionals, as well as reducing bureaucratic barriers to job creation.

Thus, the labor market in Italy in the first half of 2024 shows both positive and negative trends. The economy needs skilled workers, especially in the technology and healthcare sectors, while the service sector continues to depend on migrants, who play an important role in solving the country’s demographic problems.

Source: https://expertsclub.eu/oglyad-rynku-praczi-v-italiyi-u-2024-roczi-ta-rol-u-nomu-ukrayincziv-experts-club/

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