Italy faces rising poverty risks and social exclusion

Data from the fourth edition of the States General of Welfare and Eurostat highlights growing economic fragility and social exclusion in Italy and the European Union.

In the EU, approximately 93 million people, or 20.9% of the population, were at risk of poverty or social exclusion in 2025. While the EU aims to reduce this by 15 million people by 2030, Italy exhibits specific vulnerabilities, including stagnant incomes, persistent inequality, and regional disparities that often exceed those between different EU member states.

In the Trentino region, approximately 50,000 people (8.9%) are at risk of poverty, including 40,000 workers experiencing 'working poverty'—those unable to sustain themselves despite having employment. Experts noted that social mobility has stalled, with a high likelihood of children born into poverty remaining in that condition. The discussions emphasized the need for concrete policies addressing energy poverty, housing, and the intersection of loneliness and education.