If domestic work is now recognized at the national level as a rapidly expanding sector with a strong socio-economic impact, we must not forget that our country is characterized by regional and even local characteristics that define significant differences, even in the management of the home and in the care of the elderly.
For this reason, the Domina Observatory has analyzed the regional peculiarities of domestic work, in detail in the regional cards of the National Domestic Work Report.
In absolute terms, Rome and Milan are the provinces with the largest number of domestic workers in 2020 (113,350 and 98,835, respectively), and are clearly the main economic and employment centers.
A deeper analysis of the data, DOMINA reveals that 41 counties have the number of regular domestic workers per 1,000 inhabitants, more than the national average (15.5). Oristano with 38.5 domestic workers (per 1,000 inhabitants) is the province with the largest number of domestic workers compared to the population, followed by Cagliari (32.3) and Nuoro (27.54); On the other hand, Syracuse is the province with the lowest data (4.1 per 1000 inhabitants) followed by Foggia and Crotone (4.7). It is interesting to note that among the top ten provinces, four are in Sardinia, while among the last four are Sicily and three are in Apulia.
Change in Domestic Workers (2019-2020)
In the wake of the Covid-19 epidemic and restrictions on movement, as well as after the first effects of the settlement of irregular foreign workers launched in 2020, the number of domestic workers increased significantly compared to the previous year, exceeding 920 thousand (+7, 5% compared to 2019) ; For the first time since 2012, the number of domestic workers has increased. DOMINA details of INPS (2020) data reveal that the county in which the number of domestic workers increased the most compared to 2020 is Brindisi (+30.9%). Exceptional growth was also recorded in Trapani (+29.8%), Matera (+25.7%) and Bari (+22.5%). Contrary to the growing trend spreading across the country, domestic workers decreased in two counties: Nuoro -1.7%) and Crotone (-1.5%).
Nationality of domestic workers in the Italian provinces
The INPS (2020) data takes into account the nationality of regular domestic workers in Italy. From here it can be seen how the provinces in the south, especially in Sardinia, are characterized by the prevalence of Italian domestic labor, reaching 87% in Nuoro and Oristano. Conversely, in the provinces of northern and central Italy, most home workers and caregivers are foreigners, thanks to the proximity to Eastern European countries. Rome (83%) and Milan (84%) are the regional capitals with the highest proportion of foreign domestic workers.
Male percentage in total domestic workers
Looking at the male component instead, Domina notes that men account for an average of 12.4% of the total (just over 114K) and have registered a significant increase in the past year.
Although the greatest number of male domestic workers is concentrated in absolute terms in Rome (17646) and Milan (15352), it is possible, in relative terms, to note that the presence of males is more pronounced in the southern provinces than in the northern ones. In Palermo, the proportion of male domestic servants is 28%, followed by Messina (27%). In the north, particularly in Udine and Gorizia (95%), the presence of women is much higher.
According to Lorenzo Gasparini, Secretary General of Domaine, “Our country is characterized by a series of extraordinary characteristics and characteristics. Demographic and socioeconomic differences translate into different behaviors and choices on the part of families. For this reason, domestic work takes on different forms and characteristics: in Sardinia, for example, it is more widespread, and it is almost exclusively the prerogative of Italian workers. In Sicily, on the other hand, the presence of males is increasing. Knowing these characteristics is essential for planning support measures that target the actual needs of families.”
