Italy school costs rise as families face higher textbook and supply prices

Italian families are facing rising costs for the upcoming school year. According to the Osservatorio Nazionale Federconsumatori, school supplies are seeing an average increase of 2.3% compared to 2025, while textbook costs have risen by 1.6%. On average, a student's school kit is estimated to cost approximately 673.60 euros, with textbooks adding another 545.66 euros. For students entering the second stage of high school, total costs including dictionaries can exceed 1,478 euros.

Price variations depend heavily on the sales channel. Large-scale retail (GDO) is currently the most economical option, with prices dropping by an average of 1.1%. In contrast, prices in stationery stores have increased by 2.3%, and online prices have risen by 5.6%. Despite the online increase, e-commerce remains more affordable than traditional stationery stores by about 20.25%.

Broader economic data from Confcommercio indicates that mandatory expenses—such as housing, energy, and healthcare—now account for 41.7% of Italian household consumption, up from 37% in 1995. This trend is squeezing discretionary spending. To mitigate these costs, regional governments are implementing support measures, such as funds in Sicily and Basilicata for low-income families to purchase textbooks.