The 2025 edition of the Generational Indices of the Sole 24 Ore was presented at the Trento Festival of Trento, three rankings that have measured, for five years now, the “responses” of the territories to the specific needs of the three most fragile and together strategic generation targets, those of children, young and old. The rankings provide an interesting snapshot on how the different territories respond to the needs of the different generations. A look at the data of Calabria reveals a varied picture, with fluctuating performances between provinces and age groups.
Children: a region in difficulty
The ranking dedicated to the quality of life of the little ones presents a critical image for Calabria. All five Calabrian provinces are placed in the last positions:
Vibo Valentia: 93rd place
Catanzaro: 94th place
Reggio Calabria: 95th place
Cosenza: 98th place
Crotone: 105th place
Thus low positions suggest deficiencies in school, sporting and health services, as well as in those of support for parenting. The lack of green spaces, playfuls, nursery schools and cultural activities for childhood significantly affects the well -being of children in the region.
Young people: conflicting signals, Vibo Valentia surprises
The panorama changes clearly when looking at the young people. Despite some critical issues, positive and even surprising signs emerge:
Vibo Valentia: 13th place
Crotone: 40th place
Catanzaro: 66th place
Cosenza: 81st place
Reggio Calabria: 87th place
The case of Vibo Valentia is emblematic: as a tail light in the ranking for children, he leaps to the top 20 for young people. This could reflect local initiatives to support youth entrepreneurship, access to training or cultural projects. Crotone, who remains behind for the other age groups, also gets a decent result in 40th place. The other provinces, albeit more backward, are however placed in half or beyond ranking, reporting a certain youth liveliness in some territories.
Elderly: a critical picture, Reggio Calabria among the worst
For the over 65 the situation appears again worrying. Only Catanzaro manages to remain in the middle-low part of the ranking; The other provinces are in the last places:
Catanzaro: 69th place
Cosenza: 98th place
Crotone: 102nd place
Vibo Valentia: 104th place
Reggio Calabria: 105th place
Reggio Calabria’s latest position probably reflects the lack of health services, accessible transport, recreational structures and social assistance for the third age. The other provinces also highlight similar difficulties, underlining the need for more careful policies and aimed at the well -being of the elderly.
A region at multiple speeds
The comparison between the three rankings highlights that Calabria is a region at multiple speed, where the quality of life varies significantly based on age. The children and the elderly are the most disadvantaged categories, while young people, at least in some provinces such as Vibo Valentia and Crotone, find more favorable conditions. This intergenerational and territorial imbalance calls into question local and regional institutions, which should plan targeted interventions to fill the gaps and guarantee everyone, regardless of age, equal opportunities for well -being and development.