Italy's PNRR faces criticism over delayed health projects and weak productivity gains

The National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR) in Italy has reached its official deadline, with most EU‑funded allocations already disbursed. While the plan helped the Italian economy rebound faster than many EU peers after the Covid crisis, analysts note that the second goal of boosting long‑term productivity has not been met, with GDP growth slipping to 1 % in 2023 and below 1 % projected for the coming years.

In the Abruzzo region, health officials warn that the PNRR’s health component is being reshuffled to meet reporting targets rather than deliver functional facilities. Regional leader Silvio Paolucci said the government is “moving interventions to other funding sources to avoid missing the PNRR target,” resulting in community health centers that remain empty or lack staff.

Both pieces highlight concerns that the plan’s ambitious reforms are lagging, raising questions about the effectiveness of Italy’s post‑pandemic recovery strategy.