Emilia-Romagna Tackles Demographic Winter by Retaining Talent and Training Migrants

Italy's Emilia-Romagna region is confronting a looming "demographic winter," with projections indicating a substantial increase in its elderly population. Regional Vice President Vincenzo Colla described the situation as a critical challenge for economic and social stability over the next two decades. The number of residents over 64 is expected to grow from 1.1 million to nearly 1.4 million.

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The economic and social stability depends on the necessity of not losing minds and manual intelligence to transform and realize products that only we in the world know how to make.

Colla emphasized that the region's economic resilience, particularly as a manufacturing hub reliant on imported energy and raw materials, depends on retaining skilled labor and "manual intelligence." He stated that a community cannot sustain itself if the ratio of workers to retirees becomes too low. While acknowledging that the European Union is addressing demographic issues, Colla called for more national government action.

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A community cannot sustain itself if for every retiree there is one worker.

In response, Emilia-Romagna has enacted legislation aimed at attracting and retaining talent. The region is also focusing on housing policies to support young workers and students, with Bologna allocating €1 million annually for student welfare, including housing assistance. Colla noted that the region has launched its largest-ever investment plan for housing, totaling €300 million, to make living more affordable. Furthermore, the region is exploring increased investment in automation and process technology to bolster its economic system amidst demographic shifts.

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We have made a specific law to attract and retain talent, because if minds cross borders, they start families where they arrive and do not return, this is a serious problem.