Presentation of the Report by the European Observatory on Security

According to Italian (39%) and European (37%) citizens, economic problems remain the top priority that need to be addressed by the national government. This figure coincides with the lowest level of general economic satisfaction (30%), along with France.

Environment and climate change (mentioned by 18% of Italians) came second among the concerns expressed by respondents, followed by quality of services (13%) and political corruption (10%).

On the other hand, the fears that cause greatest concern among Italians relate to global insecurity (71%), namely those linked to "Environment and nature", "Food security", "Wars" and "Globalisation".

For 72% of respondents, crime in Italy has gone up compared to five years ago and 36% reported an increase in their area of residence.

These are the findings of the fifteenth report by the European Observatory on Security drawn up by Demos&Pi and the Unipolis Foundation which, this year, conducted three opinion polls to investigate the evolution of citizens' sense of insecurity and concerns related to adolescence, as well as providing a recent update on insecurity in Italy.

The results of the report were presented today at an event attended by Marisa Parmigiani, Director of the Unipolis Foundation, Ilvo Diamanti, Fabio Bordignon and Luigi Ceccarini, Demos&Pi and professors at the University of Urbino Carlo Bo, Matteo Lancini, Minotauro Institute and Paola Barretta, Pavia Observatory.

• According to Italians (39%), economic problems remain the priority that should be addressed by the national government.
• Fears that cause greatest concern among citizens are those attributable to global insecurity (71%, down four points from 2022).
• Few prospects for young people: almost two thirds of Italians believe that young people will have a worse future than their parents.
• In 2023, fear surrounding immigration grew significantly: close to 1 in 2 Italians think that immigrants are a danger to public order and people's safety.
• 66% of respondents believe that AI, the Internet and social media are making young adolescents (13-19 years old) slaves to new powers and 71% think that these tools promote indifference and social and political disengagement among young people.
• 7 in 10 Italians believe that crime in Italy has increased compared to five years ago.
• Following the latest tensions in the Middle East, the share of Italians who fear the outbreak of new wars in the world has risen to 54% (compared to 41% recorded in July 2023).
• 76% of respondents believe that today's teenagers have a greater risk of suffering from anxiety or depression.
• According to adults, drug use, addiction to digital devices and depression are the three most serious problems faced by Italian teens today.

Read the complete Press Release.