Italy's rising cost of living strains young adults and low‑income families

In Abruzzo, 68% of 18‑34‑year‑olds were still living with at least one parent in 2025, up from 65.9% in 2024. The increase is linked to higher living costs: a single student room rent rose from €200 to €300 a month, public‑transport annual passes rose 9%, coffee prices rose 33% and fuel reached €2.176 per litre, an 18% jump. Daniele Licheri, regional secretary of Sinistra Italiana Abruzzo, said the figures show “a concrete fatigue for 20‑year‑olds trying to build autonomy”. Alex Giaccio of the youth union added that staying at home is no longer a choice but a necessity.

In Friuli‑Venezia Giulia, an analysis by researcher Alessandro Russo found that nearly one‑quarter of families filing an ISEE declaration in 2025 had an ISEE below €10,000, representing 23.6% of all families. The province of Trieste showed the highest concentration at 30.4%. Overall, 199,490 families filed ISEE statements, covering about 542,000 residents (45% of the region’s population). The data reflect a shift from higher‑income families toward a larger share of low‑income households, driven in part by expanded eligibility for social benefits.