The issue of the mobility of young Italian graduates abroad has gained increasing attention, particularly in light of the relatively low share of tertiary-educated youth compared to other European countries and the growing negative migration balance between those leaving Italy and those returning.

Previous country-specific surveys on the migration patterns of young graduates have identified the disparity in entry-level wages between Italy and other European countries as the primary driver of the decision to seek employment abroad.

To broaden this perspective, we designed an ad hoc survey aimed at capturing the full range of motivations that lead young graduates—especially in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) disciplines—to pursue work opportunities abroad. In particular, the survey focuses on the job characteristics they seek, those satisfied by their current occupation abroad, and the factors that may influence their decision to return to Italy.

The responses of the participants provide useful insights into how to strengthen relationships between universities and firms during tertiary education, which currently remain limited. They also offer a structured assessment of workplace characteristics that firms can draw upon to facilitate the entry of younger generations into the labor market, improve onboarding processes and workplace climate, and support more effective professional development paths for graduates.