Caritas Italiana reports rising chronic poverty and elderly hardship in Italy

Caritas Italiana released its 2026 statistical report, based on data collected in 2025, showing that the number of people assisted by its network grew by 1.7% to 282,539 families, an increase of 48% over the past decade. The report highlights that poverty is becoming a structural condition: 78% of those assisted cite insufficient income, 24% are employed in low‑pay jobs, and over a quarter have been receiving support for more than five years.

The ageing of the poverty profile is pronounced, with the number of people over 65 seen by Caritas rising 191% in ten years. Social isolation has also worsened, with the share of solitary individuals climbing from 23.8% to 32.9%. Health needs surged 69%, including mental‑health concerns. Families with children still form the bulk of the demand, accounting for 52% of cases, while more than 24,000 people are recorded as homeless or without shelter. The data show no decline compared with pre‑pandemic levels, indicating that existing welfare policies are failing to curb chronic poverty.