Why does everyone think Southern Italy is poor?

It is not that bad, but is certainly not too far from the myth.

I live in Naples which, not being in the far south, might be slightly better off than other areas situated let's say in Sicily or Calabria.

Young people cannot find a decent job allowing them to leave their family, it's almost impossible to find a house or apartment to rent (many people buy for this reason, but unless they are heavily financed by their parents it's impossible to do, mortgages are given only when you can prove that you don't really need the money...;) When you eventually find an apartment the rent is so ludicrously high (unless you want to live in the "sticks") that few people can afford it.

For the last month rubbish has been left almost completely uncollected because apparently there is a dispute on where to dump it. Temperature being in the 90', I can't tell you what is like...

Italians would be rather caught dead than cut a "brutta figura", so even in desperate need of money they will rather go hungry than not being able to have mobile phones or the last fashion.

Maybe that is why they look like having money, but I see more and more people recurring to credit cards and financing. There must be a reason.....

If you go around downtown Naples you will see what I mean.

Americans don't get daily updates on the condition of southern Italy, so the myth lives on through ignorance. Also, Northern Italy is always perpetuating this myth by distancing itself from its poor Southern Italian cousins.

No one in Italy is poor. Come on...everybody has a at least a second house (al mare) and possibly a third (in montagna). They go to University and live at home until they are well into their thirties (intanto paga papa'), they all drive brand new cars, go clubbing at least 3 times a week and have the latest cellphone, mp3,laptop etc.

Could Italy be among the richest countries in the World if everyone in the south lived in mud huts, tending sheep and picking oranges???? Ma fammi ridere!

I lived in England for 3 years, and it isn't something like you're describing it. How lengthy have you ever lived there, and the position did you stay? i'm guessing you've under no circumstances lived there.

The Puglia region of Italy if filled with amazing architecture & history - please don't let the world know - they'll ruin it! I had the opportunity to live their for 3 years and would love to go back.

my family comes from southern italy and they do fine there not the richest but they live good

Wow, thankyou! Exactly what I was looking for. I looked for the answers on the internet but I couldn't find them.

This was bugging me too

i dont know !!