Le disuguaglianze territoriali in Italia. Un’analisi delle differenze economiche, demografiche e socioculturali tra aree interne e centrali = Territorial inequalities in Italy. An analysis of economic, demographic and socio-cultural differences between inner and central Areas

The main goal of this study is to analyse territorial inequalities in Italy, focusing on the gaps between Inner and Central Areas in economic, demographic and socio-cultural performance. Using municipal data and the SNAI classification, the paper examines whether the Inner Areas are actually disadvantaged on various indicators, if peripherality plays a significant role with respect to the geographical macro-area, and whether differences between Inner and Central Areas are uniform across the country or vary across macro-areas. The results, based on regression models and related post-estimation techniques, indicate that territorial inequalities in Italy are influenced by a complex interaction between geographical and periphery-related factors. While geographic macro-areas play a predominant role on many indicators, territorial peripherality contributes in a relevant, independent, and not always negative way. The research suggests that a comprehensive understanding of territorial inequalities requires a careful consideration of both dimensions and their interactions.