Rising fuel costs impact families in Southern Italy

Rising fuel prices are placing a significant economic burden on households in Southern Italy. In the Bari metropolitan area, families face an estimated additional cost of 677 euros per year, ranking it third among 13 Italian metropolitan areas most affected by price hikes. Only Cagliari and Reggio Calabria report higher annual increases.

Despite a 19.9% increase in fuel costs, consumption across the analyzed metropolitan areas has decreased by only 0.35%, indicating that many residents are unable to reduce car usage due to a lack of viable public transport alternatives for work, school, and essential services.

In Basilicata, labor unions have called for structural regional strategies rather than occasional bonuses to combat the rising cost of living. They are advocating for income support, industrial policies, and improved public services, noting that while the region produces significant energy and oil, local families continue to struggle with high costs for heating and transportation.