Economic crisis and a declining birth rate are having a huge impact on many of Italy’s small villages.
Economic crisis and a declining birth rate are having a huge impact on many of Italy’s small villages.
As young people move away and fewer babies are being born, some small communities are finding themselves on the verge of extinction.
In general, Italy has one of the oldest populations in the world, with a median age of 44 years.
The little towns that dot the countryside often have an even more aged demographic.
With few to attend them, schools are closing. This compounds the youth retention problem, as families with children have little choice but to go elsewhere.
As they leave, people don’t seem to be coming to take their places.
Immigration to Italy at large has fallen sharply over the years and emigration, particularly among the youthful and well educated has doubled.
Some town leaders have taken it upon themselves to spark the repopulation of their waning localities.
The mayor of a village in Calabria has begun to reach out to refugees, offering them jobs, homes, and free Italian lessons.
In the process of helping those in great need, he’s managed to keep the town’s school open and its hopes for survival bright.
