Caltanissetta : Southern Italy, long plagued by poverty and mass migration, is showing signs of economic revival as skilled professionals return to the region. Areas including Sicily, Campania, and Calabria are experiencing faster growth than the national average, with increasing job opportunities and rising economic activity.

From 2022 to 2024, the South’s GDP grew by 8.6%, outpacing the rest of Italy, which saw a 5.6% rise. Employment also improved, rising 2.2% last year, with construction jobs seeing a sharp 6.9% increase. European Union funding through Italy’s post-COVID Recovery Plan has played a key role, with nearly 40% of the €194 billion allocated to southern regions. Major projects such as railway improvements and the €13.5 billion Messina Bridge are attracting professionals back to their hometowns.

Still, challenges persist. In 2023-24, 241,000 southern Italians moved north, nearly double the number who returned. Experts stress the need for ongoing investment in social infrastructure, including schools, healthcare, and childcare, to retain talent and ensure long-term economic stability.

The return of workers and the growth of the local economy hint at a new chapter for southern Italy, suggesting that the region may finally be overcoming decades of economic disadvantage.