Report shows that the country needs foreigners to produce wealth and pay for retirement for the elderly
There are more jobs for immigrants in Italy than for Italians themselves. This is what the annual report on “The fiscal impact of immigration” says, which was based on data from the statistics department of the European Union, Eurostat, and Italy, Istat.
The document reveals that, without immigrants, the old continent would actually be older, poorer and unproductive. This is what would happen in 2030, if today Europe completely closed its borders to immigrants.
In just 13 years, the population of European Union would decrease by 1,9%, falling below the current level of 500 million people. The most drastic demographic drop would be in Germany, - 7% (from 81 to 75 million people) and, in Italy, -5%, (from 60 to 57 million).
The productive age group would decrease. Young workers would become increasingly rare and at the same time the number of elderly people would increase.
Contrary to what most Italians think, foreigners who work in Italy produce wealth and help pay for Italians' own retirement.
The report Leone Moressa Foundation reveals that, in 2015, immigrants working in Italy produced €127 billion, comparable to the Fiat group's revenue.
Italian public spending spent 2% of the budget on immigrants, that is, €15 billion, much less than the €270 billion spent on Italians' pensions.
Employment in Italy: most immigrants are employed
Italy has around 5 million regular foreigners, the majority of whom are employed. There are 656 thousand immigrant entrepreneurs.
On the other hand, studies show that 550.000 immigrant companies produce €96 billion in added value annually.
While companies run by Italians are declining, immigrant businesses have increased by about 20% in the last four years.
The real problem seems to be productivity. The employment rate of foreigners is much higher than that of Italians, but in the majority of cases (66%) these are low-skilled jobs, which are partially justified by the low level of education of the foreign population.
The result is a very high difference in salary and income between the foreign and Italian population, and therefore less taxes paid.
Brazil is in twentieth place
In Italy, however, Brazil is in twentieth place among the countries of origin of foreign taxpayers. In first place is Romania, followed by Albania, Morocco, China, Switzerland, Germany, Ukraine and France.
In 2015, according to the Italian Ministry of Finance, 45.377 Brazilians declared income taxes in Italy, with an average income of 14.912 euros per year, that is, 1.242 euros per month, approximately R$4.360 per month.
But in short, with the cost of living in Italy, this amount is not enough to pay rent and support a family of two children.
By Gina Marques/RFI
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