ROME, May 16 (Xinhua) -- Italy has suffered from a lack of social mobility in recent years, despite its moderate path of growth, the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) said in its 2018 State of the Nation report released Wednesday.
In fact, family connections remain the most crucial factor in achieving success, getting the right education and the best jobs.
"Family is significant not only for providing support and sharing, but in terms of economic means, wealth availability, and predisposition to social and cultural participation of its members," ISTAT said.
What researchers called the "family dowry" still affect all sectors of people's life, "creating positions of relative social advantage or disadvantage."
Education provides the clearest example of the effects of poor social mobility in the country.
"The level of education achieved is higher among those benefiting from a structured family background," researchers said.
"Some 26.5 percent of those with a high family dowry achieve a university qualification, (which means) ten percentage points more compared to those with a low family dowry."
Job position and social status are consequently affected.
It is not that people with a lower family background do not achieve success in Italy, ISTAT noted. In fact, at least 18.5 percent of them achieve a university degree, and some 14.8 percent obtain a qualified job.
However, overall, a high family dowry allows people to study longer, and keep the share of unemployment low.
"The professional level and qualifications of the parents, and their holding title are significantly correlated with the level of income of their children in many years to come," the report stated.
This divide in opportunities has not decreased despite the moderate recovery of the country's economy, which grew by 1.5 percent last year, ISTAT confirmed.
It also resisted the latest developments in Italy's social fabric. Researchers highlighted that younger generations were richer in terms of human capital, knowledge, and cultural wealth, which would normally bring about a high mobility in society.
Yet, the polarization between structured families and fragile families is still impacting on people's chances to build social relationships.
A high family dowry would as such be associated with a greater availability of supportive networks (friends, relatives, and social groups from which a person can find relief).
On the contrary, people with a lower family dowry, and suffering from the lack of social mobility, would be on average lonelier as well.
The 26th edition of the State of the Nation report was presented to Lower House Speaker Roberto Fico and several lawmakers.
Submitted every year to the parliament, the report provides a comprehensive overview and analysis of the country's latest developments, risks, and opportunities.
