Il paradosso dell'accoglienza: il ruolo del sistema SAI nelle dinamiche demografiche dell'Alta Irpinia

This study examines the impact of the Reception and Integration System (SAI) on the demographic dynamics of Alta Irpinia, an inland area of Campania experiencing progressive depopulation. The research analyzes whether municipalities implementing SAI projects show different demographic trends compared to those that do not adopt them. The results show a strong correlation (r=0.960, p<0.001) between SAI places and foreign presence. However, a paradox emerges: municipalities with SAI register greater depopulation (–1.32% vs –0.93%) despite positive foreign migration balances (+2.36% vs +0.39%). This depends on the older demographic structure of these territories and potentially indicates that the SAI system, while contributing to the increase in foreign population, cannot alone counteract the depopulation dynamics characteristic of inland areas. The study therefore proposes a reflection on the integration of reception policies within broader territorial development strategies, emphasizing the importance of moving beyond simple “reception” towards integrated policies capable of responding to the structural demographic challenges of Italian inland areas, consistent with the SNAI objectives of socioeconomic revitalization of marginal territories