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Socioeconomic and educational poverty in Italy

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2026-10-26 10:39 UTC → 2026-10-26 18:02 UTC · added ~~removed~~

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. ~~The thirteenth edition of~~ By late 2026, the ~~Istat Equitable and Sustainable Wellbeing (Bes) report provides a broader view of these trends, noting that while 54 indicators showed improvement, 23 have declined. The report emphasizes~~ Codacons consumer organization reported that ~~Italy’s risk of poverty remains 2.3 percentage points higher than the European Union average.~~ 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.

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