Italy offers free houses: hidden reasons. Italy’s “One Euro Houses” Scheme Masks a Deeper Problem: The widespread offer of houses for €1 in Italy, while seemingly a tourism boon, actually reflects a severe economic and demographic crisis. Millions of Empty Houses: A large and growing number of empty houses, many historically significant, exist across Italy, not just in remote areas. Stagnant Economy: Italy’s economy has been stagnant since the mid-1990s, attributed to a preference for loyalty and connections over performance in businesses, hindering adaptation to modern economic realities. High Unemployment: Italy has consistently high unemployment rates, particularly among young people (around 30%), leading to the “Thousand Euro Generation” – highly qualified individuals earning low wages. Brain Drain: Since 2008, at least 2 million young Italians have emigrated permanently, exacerbating the economic and demographic challenges. Aging Population (“Silver Tsunami”): Italy has one of the oldest populations globally, with low birth rates, further straining the economy and150
