Are there equal opportunities? A comparative analysis of first employment among young adults with and without migratory background in Italy

Youths with migration background in Italy are progressively growing up and consequently entering the labour market, a transition that has recently gained scholarly attention. This study focuses on their initial work experiences, thereby deepening the critical transition from school to work, which is pivotal in their journey to adulthood and crucial for their socio-economic integration into Italian society. Drawing on data from the 2021 Italian Labour Force Survey ad hoc module, we explore occupational paths of young adults aged 25-34. Adopting a comparative perspective, we differentiate between Italian natives and young adults with a migration background, categorized by their age at arrival. Through discrete-time event history analysis, we reconstruct the median age at which different groups first enter into the labour market. Using logistic regression models, we examine how several determinants such as educational level, parents’ educational level, migration background, and place of residence shape the timing of this event. This research sheds light on the employment paths of immigrant youths, revealing distinct timing for groups with diverse migration backgrounds and educational experiences. A significant finding is the notable disparities in the timing of labour market entry among women across all studied categories, with women entering the labour market at an older age and having significantly lower employment rates compared to men. Additionally, the study confirms that male young immigrants who arrived in Italy during or after school age tend to enter the labour market earlier.