«In Calabria in 2023 there was a 1.2% growth in GDP»although the region remains «with the lowest GDP per capita». It’s one of the data that emerges from INPS Calabria social reportpresented today in Catanzaro. This was illustrated by the president of the INPS Calabria regional committee, Domenico Zanninoand the general director of INPS Calabria, Giuseppe Grecowho also highlighted that «as regards the labor market, employment is also growing in Calabria as elsewhere, but then we note that approximately 82% of the employment contracts that were stipulated during 2023 refer to fixed-term contracts fixed-term contracts, and therefore to a world of precarious work which is certainly not suited to the needs of our young people who, not finding an adequate job, also by virtue of the high level of training they have had, are forced to go to north Italy and Europe”.
For Greco «in the balance between emigration and immigration the Delta is absolutely insignificant and in no way compensates for the loss of population of our region. During 2023, around 9,000 people have disappeared from the resident population: it’s a bit like if a municipality the size of Soverato was canceled every year. It is clear – says the director of INPS Calabria – that this is a trend that must be reversed: of course, it is not up to us to find the solution, but we can certainly report the problem”.
With reference to the demographic trend in Calabria, according to the INPS we can speak of an increasingly elderly region: residents over 65 represent 23.9% of the overall population (1 in 4). In relation to pension benefits – we read in the report – «the fact that the average monthly amounts of IVS pensions are lower than the national average is sobering. For women these amounts are far lower than for men and this leads us to believe that there is greater discontinuity in working careers and above all equal pay which is unfortunately not yet complete. With regard to welfare and social benefits – reports the social report of the regional INPS – in Calabria as of 31 December 2023, 178,767 civil disability benefits were paid (accompaniment allowance and disability pensions). In 2023, 30,474 new benefits were paid against the 26,909 paid in 2022: the figure is unfortunately growing and is worrying.” Roberto Ghiselli, president of the INPS Policy and Supervision Council, also participated in the presentation of the report.
Wanda Ferro: “The data certifies the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the government”
– The data from the INPS Calabria social report «certify the effectiveness of the measures implemented by the government, aimed at ending the welfare season as the only recipe for the South and creating a positive economic climate, increasing business confidence , who thus return to investing.” This was stated by Undersecretary of the Interior Wanda Ferro, speaking at the presentation of the 2023 social report of INPS Calabria which took place this morning in Catanzaro. «From the report – added Ferro – critical situations still emerge, starting from that of the demographic picture, which places us face to face with crucial challenges: the progressive aging of the population and a negative natural balance, aggravated by a decrease in births, not it only affects the labor market, but also the sustainability of social security and welfare benefits. Here too – he continued – I can claim government action aimed at supporting the birth rate and families, to stem the consequences of the demographic decline, which are not only economic, but first and foremost affect the sense of collective identity and the growth of the nation . It is clear – concluded the Undersecretary of the Interior – that to face the complexity of these challenges, a synergy between institutions, businesses and civil society is needed, to strengthen work inclusion, promote policies to support birth rates and guarantee equal opportunities for most vulnerable segments of the population”.