I believe Canada - until recently - was the only 'western' country to admit it needs about 250K new immigrants each year to stay ahead of the curve. So many European countries live in denial. who is going to pay the taxes to support the ageing population? Particularly in countries where tax avoidance is a sport??
I stayed in Varenna on Lake Como recently at a small hotel, Albergo del Sole, in the town center. The desk clerk and one of the staff were watching a soccer match on the desk’s computer. As an avid EPL fan, I asked them, which was their favorite Serie A team. AC Milan was the clerk’s proud reply; and indeed the wall behind the desk had the team’s banner on display. He raved about Christian Pulisic and his scoring streak. I asked him about Kevin De Bruyne now playing at Napoli; he replied KDB was too old to help the team. The clerk admitted he was from Napoli, but moved up to Lake Como for work and supports Milan.
This past Sunday, thanks to Pulisic, AC Milan beat Napoli, last year’s Serie A league winners to go to the top of the league. I bet the clerk and hotel staff are jubilant. They work very hard at the hotel to see to the comfort of guests. Tourism keeps them employed, as well as the many immigrants I encountered during my visit to northern Italy. They will be needed to spiff up railway stations between Milan and Venice before the Winter Olympics in February. More tourists are coming.
Fascinating statistics. Interesting that the Italian government has chosen to limit citizenship by decent (jure sanguinis) in light of declining population. I lived in Rome in the late 1980’s and would love to return. Not sure I would be welcome…
I believe Canada - until recently - was the only 'western' country to admit it needs about 250K new immigrants each year to stay ahead of the curve. So many European countries live in denial. who is going to pay the taxes to support the ageing population? Particularly in countries where tax avoidance is a sport??
I was just thinkung the same thing about countries in denial! What is Italy going to be like when it only has 35 or 40 million residents??
always exciting to read your new piece dear! Thanks for opening our eyes on the topic and showing the angle we had no idea about.
Wishing Joshua the best!
Heartbreaking article, Eric. I too think we’re the good ones (and Italy is the good one) but…
Your story at the end is beautiful. These human connections are the real story of migration.
I stayed in Varenna on Lake Como recently at a small hotel, Albergo del Sole, in the town center. The desk clerk and one of the staff were watching a soccer match on the desk’s computer. As an avid EPL fan, I asked them, which was their favorite Serie A team. AC Milan was the clerk’s proud reply; and indeed the wall behind the desk had the team’s banner on display. He raved about Christian Pulisic and his scoring streak. I asked him about Kevin De Bruyne now playing at Napoli; he replied KDB was too old to help the team. The clerk admitted he was from Napoli, but moved up to Lake Como for work and supports Milan.
This past Sunday, thanks to Pulisic, AC Milan beat Napoli, last year’s Serie A league winners to go to the top of the league. I bet the clerk and hotel staff are jubilant. They work very hard at the hotel to see to the comfort of guests. Tourism keeps them employed, as well as the many immigrants I encountered during my visit to northern Italy. They will be needed to spiff up railway stations between Milan and Venice before the Winter Olympics in February. More tourists are coming.
Everybody's got a story in them, and it just takes the right person to recognize it and tell it. Good job telling Joshua's story.
What a sad state of affairs about the brain drain. It's the same most developed countries. It's going to be a different world in the next years.
Fascinating statistics. Interesting that the Italian government has chosen to limit citizenship by decent (jure sanguinis) in light of declining population. I lived in Rome in the late 1980’s and would love to return. Not sure I would be welcome…
Very poignant words