Especially in the Mezzogiorno and among women, there are many who would be willing to work if they had the opportunity but have ceased looking for jobs because they are discouraged.
1 It is up to economic policy to devise the measures that can mobilize these unutilized human resources, a necessary condition not only for raising the potential rate of GDP growth but also for ensuring a fairer division of resources. Attention must focus above all on female employment, where the disadvantage with respect to the rest of Europe is greatest.