"Sardinia is still not a friend of young businesses." This is emphasized by the Confartigianato Research Office, which developed the "Youth Friendly 2025" study, based on data from UnionCamere-Infocamere, INAIL, INPS, and Excelsior, drawing up an index of Italian territories that are youth-friendly for business and employment , based on 27 indicators.
In the ranking, the island ranks last in terms of attractiveness and opportunities offered to new generations . Sardinia scores 403 points , significantly lower than the national average of 579 and far below the 709 points of Lombardy, the top region in the ranking. Furthermore, Sardinia's score is 30.3% lower than the Italian average , highlighting a profound structural gap compared to the rest of the country in terms of employment, business, education, and regional inclusion.
Specifically, "Employment and Youth Dynamics" represents the most critical area. Sardinia ranks 20th and last nationally, with an index of just 267 points (compared to the Italian average of 604). This category measures key variables such as the employment rate for 15-34 year-olds, the presence of NEETs (young people neither in employment nor education), the prevalence of apprenticeships, and the demographic projection of young people over the next 25 years.
In the "Structure and Vitality of the Productive System" category, Sardinia ranks 16th with 388 points. In "Human Capital and Education" (quality of the education system, number of graduates, literacy and numeracy skills), the island ranks 17th with 392 points. Finally, "Administrative Capacity and Territorial Inclusion," which includes the quality of local public administration, the efficiency of childcare services, digital relationships with public administrations, and the ability to balance work and life, as well as housing conditions related to the impact of rent, represents the only truly positive data for the region: Sardinia jumps to ninth place in Italy with an index of 660, higher than the national average of 546.
Looking at the regions, the territorial analysis reveals that Nuoro is the "youngest," while Cagliari is struggling . "Nuoro," the report emphasizes, "emerges as the island's best-performing province, ranking 90th nationally with an index of 463 points. The capital of Barbagia stands out in particular for its 'Structure and Vitality of the Productive System,' ranking highest in Sardinia for this pillar."
Regarding Cagliari, the analysis notes that "despite being the regional capital, it ranks lowest in Sardinia and 102nd nationally out of 105 areas analyzed, with a score of 439. Despite its general challenges, Cagliari maintains its regional leadership in the "Human Capital and Education" pillar. However, the report cites the province as one of the worst in Italy in terms of employment and youth dynamics."
"The analysis paints a picture of a region still precariously balanced between fragility and potential ," comments Mattia Urru , president of Young Entrepreneurs Confartigianato Sardegna, "and clearly indicates the priorities for real growth: jobs, skills, credit, services, and long-term policies. Only by strengthening these 'pillars' can the growth of young businesses be a concrete reality , and not just another individual gamble left to the goodwill of individuals." "When we talk about young people, new energy, generational transition, and even demographic stagnation," Urru continues, "we must always keep these data clearly in mind. They tell us that young Sardinians certainly don't lack ideas, courage, and entrepreneurial spirit, but simply an environment that truly puts them in a position to grow: access to credit, targeted training, less bureaucracy, and adequate services . Staying local," he concludes, "means turning a difficult choice into a valuable one."