Regional Disparites: Mezzogiorno, Italy

Mezzogiorno far less developed that the rest of Italy (dependent on agriculture)

- 3.6% primary sector employment in north 9% in south

- South has 35% of population but only 24% of GDP

- Region of Calabria has 40% of its population living under the poverty line

- High unemployment: in 2001 in the south 56.3% youths were unemployed whereas in north only 25.7% were unemployed

Reasons for disparities: High migration rate, feudal landholding (Latifundi), poor mountainous soil, high birth rate, organised crime (mafia) and inefficient infrastructure.

Mezzogiorno GDP 75% below EU average: Objective 1…