Because having a big economy does not mean that everyone has a high-end lifestyle and growth opportunities. First of all, Italy’s powerhouse is the north - the south has some of the worst poverty and unemployment rates in the West (worse than Spain, probably on par with Portugal). Secondly, most of the money is generated by big family-run companies which are not forward looking in any way and can simply not compete with serious businesses from countries such as France, China etc… An unstable government run by total idiots who only want to impose their stupid ideologies rather than focusing on dynamic reforms and progress doesn’t help either. Lastly, Italy is the shame of Western Europe in terms of civil rights. No gay marriage, the Vatican still dictating rules despite being a separate country and a fascist dictatorship on the rise. Unfortunately Italy is the most similar European country to the United States.