Why do young people leave San Marino, and what conditions might convince them to return or relocate to the Titano? This was the central question at a conference held on Thursday, November 12, at the Centro Sociale in Dogana, promoted by the San Marino-Italia Association together with the Economic Development Agency – Chamber of Commerce and Business Alliance San Marino.
Demographer Alessandro Rosina, of the Università Cattolica in Milan, examined the link between falling birth rates, an aging population and the departure of young people. Particular attention was paid to the most highly qualified, who often seek abroad professional and personal opportunities that are difficult to find at home.
For economist Stefano Zamagni, of the University of Bologna, the ability to attract talent also depends on how work itself is organized. He pointed to the need to move beyond rigid, task-based job models and instead create more room for professional growth and individual potential.
The discussion, moderated by Sara Chiaruzzi, featured young Sammarinese joining remotely from abroad, professionals who had returned home after international experiences, and foreign nationals who chose to live and work in San Marino. The debate was also informed by more than 220 responses to a questionnaire conducted by the organizers on the needs and outlook of younger generations.
The event drew a large turnout of young people, academic representatives and all of San Marino’s trade union organizations. In his closing remarks, university rector Paolo Pascucci observed: “San Marino preserves its traditions while becoming increasingly open.” The president of Confindustria Romagna, Mario Riciputi, praised the younger generation for showing “great maturity and a desire for modernity.”
The president of the San Marino-Italia Association, Denis Cecchetti, pointed to a shared vision for the future: “San Marino, Romagna and the Alte Marche, as a single civic and economic area, together hold unique international potential to create an exceptional environment for young people, families and businesses.”
