Italy’s poverty risk threshold leaves nearly 11 million people vulnerable

ISTAT’s 2024‑2025 report sets the poverty‑risk threshold at €1,103 net per month, equal to 60 % of the median income. Based on 2025 data, 18.6 % of Italians – about 10.9 million people – fall below this level, a slight rise from the previous year. The report highlights persistent income inequality, with the richest 20 % earning 5.1 times more than the poorest 20 %. Italy ranks eighth among the 27 EU countries monitored, above the EU average of 16.3 % but behind France and Germany.

The Eurispes “Italy Report” finds that 62.1 % of Italians say they struggle to make ends meet, with a third relying on past savings. Over 45 % have difficulty paying rent, 28.7 % utilities, 27.2 % mortgage, and 34.6 % forego medical checks to save money. Wealth is highly concentrated: the top 10 % of families hold 59.9 % of national wealth, while the bottom half own just 7.4 %. These trends point to a widening economic divide and growing fragility among households.