Caritas Italy report reveals elderly poverty doubling in ten years

Caritas Italy presented its national 2026 poverty report, based on 2025 data from 206 dioceses. The analysis shows poverty shifting from a temporary condition to a structural norm, with the total number of people assisted rising 48% over the previous year. The most striking increase is among the over‑65s, whose numbers grew 191% in ten years, from 14,689 in 2015 to 42,775 in 2025, especially in the North where assistance rose 61.8%. Absolute‑poverty families grew 50% nationwide, with the North seeing a rise of over 90%. Single‑person households increased from 23.8% to 32.9%, reflecting growing social isolation.

Foreign nationals now make up 56.7% of those assisted, while health‑related needs rose 69% and the share of poor workers reached 31% among 45‑54‑year‑olds. More than 24,000 people were recorded as homeless or without adequate housing. The report highlights the intertwined challenges of low incomes, health problems, inadequate housing and loneliness.

The UIL Pensionati of Molise, citing the same data, warned that the share of elderly assisted has almost doubled, now representing 15.4% of all beneficiaries and 26.3% of Italian nationals. The union called for dignified pensions, stronger territorial welfare, proximity health services and comprehensive social protection to prevent further exclusion of seniors.