Italian wealth distribution and philanthropic trends

Recent data highlights contrasting trends in Italian social and economic structures. Research indicates a growing culture of philanthropy, with 23% of Italians over age 50 considering charitable legacies—a significant rise from 12% in 2018. This shift has bolstered the non-profit sector, as the proportion of organizations receiving legacies rose from 61% to 77% between 2020 and 2024.

Simultaneously, reports show rising wealth inequality within the country. By late 2025, the top 5% of families controlled 50.2% of national wealth, up from 39.9% fifteen years prior. While the wealthiest 10% hold the vast majority of financial assets, such as 93.3% of listed shares, the bottom 50% of families hold only 7.3% of total wealth and carry 37.9% of total household debt. This concentration is driven largely by capital gains and non-listed shares, which are held almost exclusively by the wealthiest deciles.

New research from the Fondazione Fiba Observatory indicates that Italian family wealth growth has lagged significantly behind the Eurozone average. Between 2015 and 2025, Italian family wealth grew by 22%, compared to a 60% Eurozone average and 87% in Germany. This stagnation has impacted the middle class, which has seen wealth decline by a quarter to a third when adjusted for inflation. Total net wealth reached 11,333.1 billion euros by the end of 2025.

In response to these trends, Daniela Fumarola, General Secretary of Cisl, has opposed increasing the flat tax on self-employed incomes exceeding 100,000 euros, labeling the move “inequitable.” Fumarola has advocated for “constitutional progressivity in taxation” and intensified efforts to combat tax evasion to facilitate more effective wealth redistribution.