Abruzzo faces poverty risk for one in five residents, report shows

The Caritas 2026 report for the Abruzzo‑Molise area reveals that 20 percent of Abruzzo’s residents – roughly one in five – are at risk of poverty. Caritas support structures increased from 65 in 2024 to 75 in 2025, assisting 6,656 people, up from 6,453 the previous year. The report counts 3,807 families receiving aid out of 569,260 households surveyed, an incidence of 6.69 per 1,000.

Economic hardship affects 78.1 percent of those assisted, with 44.2 percent citing employment problems and 34.9 percent reporting housing vulnerability. Health fragility is higher than the national average, with 17.1 percent of assisted individuals facing serious health issues versus 16.1 percent nationally. The Uil Abruzzo union calls for active labour policies, measures against precarious work, strengthened regional health services, an extraordinary social plan, and full implementation of essential social benefits. The report also highlights generational concerns, noting that 52 percent of assisted families have young children, raising the risk of inter‑generational disadvantage.