Despite Brexit, Italians Flock to London

As Brexit and a potential recession loom, more and more Italians are moving to the UK. This is in contrast to other European countries, where citizens are being driven away by the uncertain economic future. For Italians, the UK is seen as a stable and prosperous country, making it an attractive destination in these uncertain times.
The number of Italian-born people living in the UK has more than doubled in the last decade, according to the Office for National Statistics. In 2021, there were 280,000 Italian-born people living in the UK, nearly 40% higher than in 2016, the year Britain voted to leave the European Union.
According to data from the ONS, approximately half of Italians in the UK live in London. This makes Italians the most common foreign nationality in the capital, ahead of India and Poland.
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Italians are moving to the UK for better job opportunities, higher salaries, and a more cosmopolitan culture. They are also defying the overall trend of EU nationals leaving the UK since the Brexit referendum. While the UK economy is facing its own challenges, it is still seen as more attractive than Italy, where unemployment is high, wages are stagnating, and growth is limited.
As of September 2022, more than 600,000 Italian citizens had applied to the EU Settlement Scheme, a program that allows EU citizens to keep living in the UK post-Brexit. That's the largest number of any western European country.
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Brunello Rosa, an Italian expat and co-founder of London-based consultancy Rosa & Roubini Associates, said that Italy is in a difficult situation. There is a lack of opportunities and jobs, and even though the UK is not living its best moment, it is still more attractive than Italy.
The number of foreign-born people in the UK varies by country of origin. In 2016, the top five countries of origin for foreign-born residents were India, Poland, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Romania.
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Olimpia Grassi would love to live in Italy, but her career is currently based in London.
The architect began working as an interior designer for luxury hotels two years ago, a job that is virtually nonexistent in her hometown of Rome. In London, she can make more money and earn promotions.
"Many people dream of living in Italy," she said. "But if you're looking for good job prospects, good pay, and career advancement, London is the place to be."
During the pandemic, many Italians moved back home to be closer to their families. This led some analysts to speculate that a "reverse brain drain" was underway. However, it appears that this trend was short-lived.

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Rosa, a London-based consultant, said that people who go back to Italy don't necessarily have the best experience. They face bureaucracy, corruption, inefficiency and limited job opportunities. Eventually, many of them move back to the UK.
Although Italy's economy grew faster than the UK's in the third quarter, the country still lags behind in many respects. Italy's debt-to-GDP ratio is one of the highest in Europe, and its 7.8% unemployment rate is more than double the UK's. The average London yearly salary is around £40,000 ($48,600), compared to Milan's 38,000 euros ($40,800), according to the website Payscale.

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"Brexit has made London a less attractive destination for Italians," said Andrea Pisauro, a coordinator at Manifesto di Londra, which seeks to improve Italy's economy and politics from London. "However, compared to Italy's high unemployment rate and the economic crisis of the past 10 years, the choice is still obvious."
The estimated population for 2021 is 7.8 billion people. This number is based on the current world population and the projected growth rate for the next year. The world population has been growing steadily for the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue in 2021.
There is no doubt that Brexit has made it more difficult to settle in the UK. EU citizens now need visas to stay in the country, which adds an employment hurdle. Burdensome regulations and customs checks have made setting up a business more difficult, and it is not as easy as it once was to travel back and forth from the continent.

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The number of Italian students in the UK has fallen by more than 60% between 2016 and 2022, according to the UK Universities and Colleges Admissions Service. This is at least partly due to difficulties introduced by Brexit, including higher fees for EU students.
The number of Italians studying at UK universities has increased in recent years. According to data from the British Council, the number of Italians studying at UK universities was 9,290 in the 2015-16 academic year, up from 8,540 in the previous year. This trend is likely to continue, as more and more Italians are looking to study abroad.

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Italy has taken steps to encourage its citizens to return home, including passing a law in 2019 that provides significant income tax breaks for expats. Milan has been a big beneficiary of Brexit, attracting finance jobs as big banks like Goldman Sachs shift roles from London to the continent.
Ines Makula, an Italian entrepreneur who splits her time between Rome and London, says that business is still easier to conduct in the UK for now. She cites the UK's more developed infrastructure and easier access to capital as key reasons why.

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There's a new wave of energy in Italy that is making it an increasingly attractive destination for young people. In 10 years, London may no longer be the favorite city for young people, as they will have more options to choose from.
Despite challenges posed by Brexit, the UK remains the top destination for Italians seeking to emigrate, according to Italy’s National Institute of Statistics. The UK beats out Germany and the US as a destination of choice for Italians looking to start a new life abroad.

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Olimpia Franzan, 31, moved to London from Rome two years ago to start a job at McKinsey & Co. The strategy consultant said she tried to work in Milan but found the job environment too restricted. She felt that people were valued on seniority and personal connections rather than merit.
"I'm skilled and I could find a job in Italy," she said. "But in terms of career growth, I wouldn't have the same opportunities."