In Italy, 5.4 million people were living in absolute poverty. The Italian National Institute of Statistics (Istat) reported that 2.1 million households, comprising these 5.4 million people, were in absolute poverty.
Istat documented 2.1 million households living in absolute poverty during the year in question. These families lack the resources to purchase goods and services considered essential for a dignified life in contemporary Italian society.
The incidence of absolute poverty stood at 8.0% for households and 9.3% for individuals, representing a marginal improvement from the previous year when household poverty was at 8.4% and individual poverty at 9.8%.
The relative stability in poverty rates might surprise observers given Italy's economic challenges.
Around 5.4 million people, 9.3% of population, in absolute poverty in Italy in 2025. Statistics agency Istat reports slight decrease with respect to 2024 #ANSA https://t.co/Iz2rZhTRss
The statistics reveal a stark divide within Italian society. Households composed solely of Italian nationals experienced a poverty rate of 5.9%, significantly lower than the national average. However, this figure rises to 26.7% for families with at least one foreign national, and 29.4% for households consisting exclusively of foreign nationals.
The Istat report identified 813,000 families in absolute poverty in the South, underscoring a persistent north-south economic divide.
The relative stability in poverty rates might surprise observers given Italy's economic challenges. This apparent contradiction reflects complex dynamics at play: while some economic indicators may have improved, the benefits haven't sufficiently reached those at the bottom of the socioeconomic ladder.
As Italy navigates its economic future, these poverty statistics serve as both a report card and a warning. The marginal improvements indicate that existing policies have had limited impact on the most vulnerable populations.
The human cost of these numbers extends far beyond material deprivation. Families making impossible choices between necessities experience chronic stress that strains relationships and undermines community cohesion.
In the end, the Istat report reveals a society still grappling with fundamental questions about justice and equality.