The numbers are alarming: over the past ten years, Italy has lost more than 2 million young entrepreneurs. Traditional sectors like construction and retail have seen a significant decline, while innovation-driven industries are thriving. Imprese under 35

A Call for Young Entrepreneurs

Italy is in dire need of young individuals willing to take risks and invest in themselves by starting new businesses. Unfortunately, fewer and fewer young people are stepping up to the challenge. Over the last decade, an average of 42 businesses led by under-35s have closed every single day. Traditional sectors, particularly construction and retail, have been hit the hardest.

A recent analysis by Unioncamere-InfoCamere paints a grim picture of the birth and death rates of youth-led businesses. Geographically, fewer young people in Central Italy are choosing entrepreneurship. According to Andrea Prete, President of Unioncamere, “The data reflects the economic context. It’s also clear that the aging population has played a significant role.”

Decline in Under-35 Businesses

Over 153,000 youth-led enterprises have disappeared in the last ten years. This results from closures and businesses aging out of the under-35 category. This is a staggering decline, with the number of young entrepreneurs dropping from 640,000 in 2014 to 486,000 by December 2024. While the downturn has affected nearly all economic sectors, there are notable exceptions, particularly in innovation and sustainability.

Bright Spots in the Data

Not all sectors are struggling. Business services have seen a 3.5% growth, adding nearly 2,000 youth-led businesses over the decade. Agriculture remains a stable and attractive option for young entrepreneurs, with a slight increase of 0.06%. Despite economic challenges, many still view agriculture as a viable entrepreneurial opportunity.

Struggles in Traditional Sectors

On the other hand, traditional industries are facing significant challenges. Construction has lost nearly 40,000 youth-led businesses (-38.7%), while retail has seen over 66,000 closures (-36.2%). In 2014, construction and retail together accounted for almost 45% of all under-35 businesses. Today, their share has dropped to 37%.

Manufacturing has also suffered, with over 14,000 youth-led businesses disappearing in the last decade (-35.9%). The artisanal sector has been particularly hard hit, losing more than 47,000 young entrepreneurs (-28.1%). Female entrepreneurship among under-35s has also declined, with a loss of over 43,000 businesses (-24.5%). Similarly, businesses led by young foreign entrepreneurs have dropped by 35,000 (-27.4%).

In contrast, business services and ICT have seen growth. Business services now account for 11.8% of youth-led businesses, up from 8.7%, while ICT has risen from 6.4% to 8%.

Regional Declines

Geographically, Lombardy remains the region with the highest number of under-35 businesses (over 74,000), but it has still seen a 15.1% decline over the decade. Campania, the second-largest region with over 61,000 youth-led businesses, has experienced a 23.8% drop. The decline is even more pronounced in Central Italy, with Marche losing 36.7% of its youth-led businesses, followed by Umbria (-32%) and Tuscany (-31.1%).

In Southern Italy, where youth entrepreneurship has traditionally been higher, the most significant declines are in Molise (-35.6%), Abruzzo (-35.2%), and Calabria (-34.4%). Losses are slightly lower in Sicily (-32.9%) and Puglia (-28.6%), which still maintain a notable presence of youth-led businesses, with nearly 43,000 and 34,000 under-35 enterprises, respectively.

Specialization and Innovation: The Way Forward

These trends are concerning. This is especially alarming. According to CNEL, Italy has lost 2 million workers under the age of 35 in the last 20 years. Imprese under 35

As Unioncamere President Andrea Prete explains, “The new sectoral map of youth entrepreneurship indicates a shift. It moves toward industries that require specialized skills. It clearly offers greater potential for innovation. Young entrepreneurs today are focusing on areas where expertise and technology provide a competitive edge. This transformation underscores the need for targeted policies. These policies should facilitate access to credit and startup support. They should also help young entrepreneurs acquire the necessary skills to thrive in knowledge-intensive and innovative sectors.”

Conclusion

Imprese under 35 : The decline in youth-led businesses in Italy is a pressing issue, but it also presents an opportunity for transformation. By focusing on innovation, sustainability, and specialized skills, young entrepreneurs can drive the country’s economic revival. Policymakers must take action. They need to provide the necessary support. This will ensure that Italy’s next generation of business leaders has the tools to succeed in an ever-evolving global economy.