1.4 Global Challenges

Mercato del lavoro

Economic issues exist in every country. Some of the causes of those in Italy are as follows:

• High public debt: Italy has one of the highest public debt levels in the EU, reaching over 160% of its GDP.- Slow economic growth: Italy's economy has grown at a slow pace compared to other EU countries, hindering its ability to reduce debt and increase competitiveness.- Youth unemployment: The unemployment rate for young people in Italy is high, with over 30% of those aged 15-24 being unemployed.- Aging population: Italy has a rapidly aging population, which is putting pressure on its pension system and workforce.
  
  ###### image courtesy of DTM- Lack of structural reforms: Italy has been criticized for not implementing enough structural reforms to boost its economy and increase competitiveness.- High non-performing loans: The Italian banking sector is burdened by high levels of non-performing loans, which are hindering its ability to lend and support economic growth.

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Scuola e istruzione

Education is a big deal in Italy, and it's made available to everyone. Some facts about the Italian education system are:

• Compulsory and free: Education in Italy is compulsory and free for children between the ages of 6 and 16.- Public and private systems: Italy has both public and private education systems, with the majority of students attending public schools.
  
  ###### image courtesy of CNN- Focus on tradition: Italian education has a strong focus on tradition, with a curriculum that emphasizes the classics, literature, and the arts.- Centralized system: The Italian education system is centralized, with the national government responsible for setting educational policies and standards.- University education: Italy has a strong university system, with many well-respected institutions and a long history of academic excellence.- Bologna Process: Italy is a member of the Bologna Process, an initiative aimed at creating a European Higher Education Area and facilitating the movement of students and academics between countries.

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Migrazioni e frontiere

Europe has a large Immigration situation that is very present in Italy due to its vicinity to the Middle East and North Africa. Some of the issues are as follows:

• Increasing migration: Italy has seen an increase in migration in recent years, with many people coming from Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe.
  
  ###### image courtesy of Open Migration- Refugee crisis: Italy has been at the forefront of the refugee crisis in Europe, with many migrants and asylum seekers arriving by sea.- Political issue: Migration has become a politically sensitive issue in Italy, with some politicians calling for stricter immigration policies and others advocating for more humane treatment of migrants and refugees.- Integration challenges: Italy faces challenges in integrating migrants and refugees into its society and economy, with high levels of unemployment and poverty among these populations.- Reception centers: The Italian government operates a network of reception centers for migrants and refugees, where they receive basic services and support.- EU cooperation: Italy has called for greater cooperation and support from the EU in addressing the migration crisis, including the sharing of the burden of caring for migrants and refugees.