The Role of Early Childhood Education in Revitalizing Inner Areas

In recent decades, depopulation has become an irreversible process in many of the most developed regions. This trend is particularly pronounced in inner areas, characterized by limited accessibility to essential services, fewer employment opportunities, and demographic decline, making them less attractive to families, especially those with children. The supply of Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) is increasingly recognized as a critical factor in addressing the challenges of depopulation. By investing in ECEC, policymakers can create a more supportive environment for families, thereby promoting higher fertility rates and stabilizing population dynamics in developed regions. To this aim, our study examines the role of ECEC services on residential choices. Using administrative data and a non-parametric Difference-in-Differences approach, we assess how expanding ECEC services influences migration patterns at the municipal level in Italy (2013–2022).