# Socioeconomic and educational poverty in Italy > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/socioeconomic-poverty-in-italy > Updated: 2026-10-26T09:01:13.000Z. Sources: 54. Developments: 9. Socioeconomic disparities in Italy remain a critical issue. 2025 Istat data shows absolute poverty is stable, affecting over 5.4 million individuals (9.3% of the population) and 2.1 million families. While a slight statistical decrease occurred compared to 2024, the intensity of poverty has risen to 19% in the South and Islands, where the incidence exceeds 11%. In contrast, Central Italy reports the lowest incidence at 6.3%. Demographic vulnerabilities are pronounced. Approximately 1.14 million minors (12.5%) live in absolute poverty, with rates peaking at 15.2% in the South. Nationality is a major factor: the poverty rate for families composed entirely of foreign nationals is 29.4%, compared to 5.9% for families of exclusively Italian citizens. Additionally, nearly half of families in absolute poverty live in rental accommodations. Educational poverty remains a significant challenge. The 2025 Invalsi National Report indicates that 12.3% of students finishing the first cycle of education are at risk of implicit dropout, with risks exceeding 20% in Calabria, Sicily, and Sardinia. Furthermore, 8.7% of students finishing the second cycle of education show inadequate learning levels, a 2.1 point increase from 2024. Newer reports highlight expanding dimensions of deprivation. A study by the TESSA research agency reveals that nearly one in five Italian families, or approximately 4.9 million households, faces transport poverty due to high mobility costs and inadequate public infrastructure. Furthermore, the ‘Atlas of Hunger 2026’ notes that 5.4 million people cannot afford a protein-rich meal every other day. By late 2026, the Codacons consumer organization reported that an economic crisis has negated previous improvements in well-being. Rising costs for energy, transport, and food are reducing purchasing power for middle-to-low income families. ## Claims - The 2026 economic crisis has surpassed previous Istat well-being data improvements. (single source) - Rising costs for energy, transport, and food are reducing household purchasing power. (single source) - There is a sharp divide in well-being between Central-North Italy and the Mezzogiorno. (single source) - Campania, Puglia, and Calabria recorded values below the national average in at least 10 of 12 well-being domains. (single source) - Italy recorded 75 days of heatwaves in 2026. (single source) - The number of heatwave days in 2026 increased by 38 days compared to 2025. (single source) - North-Eastern Italian cities have an average of 64.3 square meters of urban green space per inhabitant. (single source) - Sardinia and Sicily experienced 53 and 41 consecutive days without rain respectively in 2025. (single source) ## Timeline ### 2026-10-26: Istat report reveals mixed wellbeing trends in Italy Istat's latest Bes report shows improvements in 54 wellbeing indicators in Italy, but highlights high poverty rates that exceed the EU average, particularly in Southern Italy. 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/istat-report-reveals-mixed-wellbeing-trends-in-italy ### 2026-10-24: Italy faces economic crisis and declining well-being in 2026 Codacons warns that Italy's 2026 economic crisis has erased well-being gains, worsening the divide between the North and South while rising costs erode household purchasing power. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-faces-economic-decline-and-regional-inequality ### 2026-10-24: Italy reports record life expectancy amid rising absolute poverty Italy's life expectancy reached a record 83.7 years in 2025, but Istat reports rising absolute poverty affecting 5.4 million people and significant regional inequality. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-reports-record-life-expectancy-amid-rising-absolute-poverty ### 2026-10-21: Food insecurity affects millions in Italy and across Europe Food insecurity affects 5.4 million people in Italy and remains a significant issue across Europe, driven by inflation and structural poverty despite low global comparative rates. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/food-insecurity-affects-millions-in-italy-and-across-europe ### 2026-10-21: Italy social decline: 54% of population falls below middle class An Ipsos-Legacoop survey finds 54% of Italians fall below the middle class, signaling a downward social trajectory driven by economic fragility and insufficient wages. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-social-decline-54-of-population-falls-below-middle-class ### 2026-10-20: Italy educational poverty report reveals regional disparities The 2025 Invalsi Report reveals rising inadequacy in second-cycle education and significant regional disparities in Italy, with educational poverty hitting disadvantaged and southern regions hardest. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-educational-poverty-report-reveals-regional-disparities ### 2026-10-15: Italy faces child poverty crisis as local meal programs expand One in eight Italian minors lives in absolute poverty, according to ISTAT and Save the Children. Local initiatives like Brescia’s canteen project are working to provide meals and social integration for affected 5 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-faces-child-poverty-crisis-as-local-meal-programs-expand ### 2026-10-15: Italy absolute poverty affects 5.4 million people in 2025 Istat reports that 5.4 million people in Italy live in absolute poverty in 2025. The crisis disproportionately affects children, large families, renters, and residents of the South. 19 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-absolute-poverty-affects-54-million-people-in-2025 ### 2026-10-13: Italy transport poverty affects nearly one in five families Nearly 20% of Italian families face transport poverty, struggling with high mobility costs and a lack of public transport alternatives in rural and island regions. 4 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/italy-transport-poverty-affects-nearly-one-in-five-families --- Cite as: Socioeconomic and educational poverty in Italy. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/socioeconomic-poverty-in-italy