Is there an integration paradox in Italy? Empirical evidence on youths with a migrant background

The present study examines the integration paradox – the positive association between higher structural integration achievements and higher feelings of discrimination and exclusion – among young immigrant descendants aged 14–35 in Italy. Based on data provided by the Survey on Condition and Social Integration of Foreign Citizens carried out by the National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT) in 2011–2012, we address three main questions: do immigrant descendant youth report more experiences of discrimination than their first-generation immigrant peers? Do youths with a migrant background and higher level of education perceive themselves to be more discriminated against than those with a lower level of education? And finally, do we see a greater or lower perception of exclusion across generations with a migrant background? Our results show that while higher educated immigrant descendants do report more systemic discrimination, this does not apply to interpersonal discrimination. Moreover, interestingly, immigrant descendant youths born in Italy feel less excluded by Italian society than their first-generation immigrant peers, also when reporting experiences of discrimination. This suggests that the sense of exclusion is decreasing across immigrant generations despite increased self-perceived discrimination.