The framing of youth emigration in Italy

Italy has experienced significant emigration flows since its unification in 1861, with recent trends marking the onset of a “third emigration cycle” starting in the 2000s. Official data reveal over 1.6 million Italians relocated abroad between 2002 and 2022, half of them aged 18 - 39. Existing research on Italian emigration has largely focused on historical trends and emigration policies. However, limited attention has been given to public discourse, especially in media. This study examines how youth emigration is framed by various actors in Italian newspapers through a qualitative frame analysis of articles from Il Corriere della Sera between 2020 and 2024. The analysis identifies as predominant the economic frame, with youth emigration viewed as a risk tied to employment, wages, and economic stagnation. Emigrants, however, present emigration as an opportunity. The concern, in the articles, for youth emigration as a risk for Italian economy and the repeated claims to refrain the phenomenon reflects tensions between EU mobility rights and national strategies. Furthermore, the frequent association between youth emigrants and the lack of skilled immigrants highlights a concern for Italy's competitiveness in European mobility. This research contributes to understanding the framing of youth emigration in public opinion, with implications for policy and media representation.