Italy, a country divided between “solidarity drives” and “selfish desires”

A divided, restless country, projected towards a future characterized by growing complexity. This is the photograph of Italy that emerges from Flair report 2024the annual publication of Ipsos which tries to outline a picture of what is happening in our country and how its citizens are changing.

“A divergent country. A society marked by social fractures, oscillating between solidarity drives and selfish desires” – this is the title of this year’s edition of the Flair report which was produced in collaboration with Centromarca – restores the image of a country that stands out for its contrasts and which is going through a period of profound transformations. Transformations that are marked by social fractures, restless passions and a sense of instability that oscillates between dynamism and reverse gears, radicalism and defensiveness, supportive drives and selfish desires. “In the last five years we have witnessed a notable acceleration of the transition processes that are shaping the changes – we read in the study – This acceleration has been fueled by a series of crises that have intersected and followed one another. Environmental, economic, social, financial and health crises have all contributed to the current situation, each leaving their mark on the social fabric of the country.”

Despite some positive economic signals, such as the increase inoccupation and the decrease of fear of losing their job, Italian society remains deeply divided. 52% of Italians believe that social distancing has increased in recent years. The data is particularly worrying when considering the increase in differences between young people and adults. This phenomenon, in fact, highlights a fundamental problem of Italian society: the growing inequality between different generations.

“Despite facing a series of social and economic challenges, there is a widespread desire for a good society, characterized by security, equity, freedom and sustainability – he explains Nando Pagnoncellipresiding over them

– This is the challenge that awaits us: building a society in which every individual can realize their potential, contributing to common well-being. To achieve this goal, it is essential to promote policies that promote social inclusion, economic justice and environmental protection. Only through collective and shared commitment can we hope to build the “good society” we desire.”

From the Ipsos analysis data it emerges that for 73% of Italians the risk of young people living in a situation of greater poverty than their parents. Young people, unlike adults, feel more disappointed (34% compared to an average of 29%), more insecure (35% compared to an average of 26%), more distressed (25% compared to an average of 18%). ) and more confused (20% compared to an average of 15%).

Despite the extensive use of social connections, the GenZ notice how relationships with others are more fragile: this is 47% of boys and girls between 25 and 34 years old and 46% of 18-24 year olds (the national average stops at 38%). Only 33% consider Italy a country open to young people and it is no coincidence that among Generation Z the forms of inequality perceived as growing are: gender discrimination, the different possibilities between those who live in small towns and metropolitan cities, the different possibilities of access to study and training opportunities.

The most uncertain dynamics facing the future for young people are job stability (39% compared to 12% of adults), the network of friends and relationships (20% compared to 10% of adults), one’s wealth of knowledge (the considers 32% of young people to be inadequate compared to 23% of the population average). The aspects of contemporary society that young people consider most wrong are the lack of stability in work (32%); the reduced level of future prospects (43%), self-referential individualism (24%) and gender differences between men and women (26%, against an average of 15%).

“Fragmentation emerges as the dominant trend that is shaping our society, projected towards a future in which increasingly strong complexities and contradictions appear – he concludes Nicola Neri, CEO Ipsos – For this reason, through Flair we want to provide a broader vision so that we can not so much paint with certainty the future that awaits us, but equip ourselves with the tools to face the choices that each of us must make on a daily basis with greater serenity and competence”.