Italy's Caritas reports record 282,539 families assisted amid rising poverty

The Caritas 2026 report shows the network helped 282,539 families in Italy, the highest number ever recorded. The organization says poverty is becoming a structural condition rather than a temporary emergency. Almost one in four assisted persons is employed but still lacks sufficient income for a dignified life; the share is highest among those aged 35‑44 (about one in three) and remains significant for ages 45‑54 (31%).

Between 2019 and 2024, real wages in Italy fell by 8%, the steepest decline among major European nations. The number of people over 65 receiving Caritas aid rose by 191% in ten years, health and psychological needs increased by 69%, and the proportion of single-person households grew from 23.8% to 32.9%. The report contrasts these trends with government claims of increased employment, highlighting a growing gap between job numbers and living standards.