Italian household spending projected to reach record highs by 2026

An analysis by the Confcommercio Research Office, based on Istat data, reveals a structural shift in Italian household spending. Real per capita consumption is estimated to reach 23,261 euros in 2026, surpassing the previous peak recorded in 2007.

The report highlights a “progressive tertiarization of consumption,” where families are reducing spending on traditional material goods—such as food, clothing, and household products—in favor of services, leisure, travel, and technology. Technology spending has seen a massive surge, growing by over 3,000% since 1995, as items like smartphones and cloud services have transitioned from luxury goods to essential services.

This recovery in consumption is supported by a strengthening labor market, which reached a record 24.3 million employed persons, and contributions from international tourism. While overall consumption is expected to grow by 1.2% in 2026, the composition of spending reflects a fundamental change in lifestyle priorities toward experiences and connectivity.