Italy social decline: 54% of population falls below middle class

A recent survey by Ipsos for Legacoop, titled ‘FragilItalia 2026 – Le povertà contemporanee’, reveals a significant social decline in Italy. The data shows that 54% of Italians now place themselves below the middle class, consisting of 34% who describe themselves as ‘falling,’ 16% as fragile, and 4% as lower class.

The report highlights a phenomenon described as ‘de-middle-classing,’ where the group of people in social decline (34%) is nearly as large as the stable middle class (37%). This shift suggests that poverty is increasingly viewed as a downward trajectory rather than a static condition. Approximately 68% of respondents feel economically more fragile than they did five years ago.

Economic pressures are evident in several areas: 25% of Italians struggle to make ends meet, 19% forgo necessary expenses, and 17% would be unable to cover an unexpected expense of 600 euros. Furthermore, 39% of those surveyed consider their salaries insufficient relative to the cost of living. Legacoop President Simone Gamberini noted that poverty is no longer just about income, but also involves a loss of security, opportunities, and future expectations.