Jobs exist, but workers are missing. It may seem paradoxical, but Italy is suffering from a mismatch between job supply and demand. There is a clear misalignment between companies offering job positions and the availability of the necessary skills to meet their needs.

The statistical verdict is alarming. According to a Confindustria survey for the first half of 2024, more than 69.8% of Italian companies have struggled to find candidates who meet their requirements.

A study by Ipsoa confirms that in 2023, despite strong labor demand from businesses, approximately 2.5 million professional positions were difficult to fill. These include high-level profiles but also more common roles such as bartenders and waitstaff.

It has also been calculated that this mismatch weighs €44 billion on the Italian economy, equivalent to 2.5 percentage points of national added value.

Finally, Unioncamere highlights that the problem grows exponentially when companies require digital or green skills. It is estimated that between 2023 and 2027, around 2.4 million workers (65% of the five-year demand) will need green skills, while just over 2 million employees (56% of the total) will require digital skills.

These figures are concerning and could worsen in the future. Confindustria is certain that this trend will be exacerbated by demographic shifts—a declining and aging population—as well as by low internal mobility, brain drain, and a shortage of non-EU workers.

Based on Istat’s demographic projections and expected economic growth, industrial leaders estimate that if the employment rate remains at 61.5% (2023 level), the quantitative mismatch could expand by 1.3 million workers between 2024 and 2028. The consequences for the labor market and economic growth—in a country that needs efficiency and innovation—are easy to imagine.

The Causes

This phenomenon has multiple deep-rooted causes. First and foremost, many young people graduate from university or training programs with skills that do not align with businesses’ needs.

A second factor is rigid labor contracts and bureaucracy, which hinder flexibility and skill updates. Moreover, the high cost of labor discourages hiring, while low wages—particularly in the service sector—are further pushed downward by the absence of a minimum wage.

Another key issue is sharp territorial imbalances within the country. The shortage of skilled labor is most evident in the North, whereas the South experiences high unemployment rates.

Data shows that this is not just about high-level skills—even in the restaurant industry, finding suitable staff is a challenge.

Additionally, low mobility and the rising number of young people who neither study nor work (NEETs) make it even harder to bridge the employment gap.

What Can Be Done?

The first step is reforming education and training, fostering stronger collaboration between high schools/universities and businesses, expanding Technical Institutes (ITS), and improving career guidance. These efforts must go hand in hand with reskilling and upskilling programs, helping workers update and strengthen their competencies.

Another crucial measure is reducing hiring costs, including a significant cut in the tax wedge—the fiscal burden on businesses—and providing incentives for workers who relocate for employment.

Experts believe that this crisis could be turned into an opportunity. A precise analysis of the misalignment between supply and demand can help identify where jobs are available, allowing young people to choose career paths that lead to fulfilling employment.