Italy's economy threatened by demographic decline as skilled labor shortages bite

A provocative question on the side of a tram – "In Milan, are there only creatives and models?" – highlights a critical labor shortage in Italy. Saverio Cutrullá, founder of the technical installation company Save, launched an unusual recruitment drive last November seeking about thirty employees. Six months later, he received around 200 CVs, but only about ten were suitable, with many candidates lacking technical qualifications. His company ultimately hired only two people.

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We are looking for electricians, plumbers, and masons. But in Milan, are there only creatives and models?

Cutrullá's campaign, while not fully achieving its goal, sparked national conversation about Italy's deepening demographic crisis. The country is grappling with a declining birthrate and an immigration system that isn't supplying the necessary workforce. "A lightbulb still needs to be changed by hand, using a ladder," Cutrullá wryly noted, emphasizing the continued need for manual skills in the face of new technologies. He lamented the increasing difficulty in finding staff, especially young graduates, forcing his company to decline contracts.

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A lightbulb still needs to be changed by hand, using a ladder.

While Switzerland is currently debating the consequences of what some consider excessive population growth, Italy is increasingly concerned about its own diminishing and aging population. This demographic shift poses a significant threat to the nation's economic future, impacting industries that rely on a steady supply of skilled labor.

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It has become increasingly difficult to find staff in the last decade. And it is an even bigger problem to find young workers coming out of school.