In Italy over 5.4 million people live in conditions of absolute poverty, equal to 9.3% of the resident population. The data, referring to 2025, remains substantially stable compared to the previous year, but highlights a worsening in the long term. According to Istat’s 2026 Report on Fair and Sustainable Wellbeing (Bes), in 2014 absolute poverty affected 6.9% of residents. Over the course of eleven years, the incidence therefore increased by 2.4 percentage points.
Absolute poverty in Italy, 5.4 million people in 2025
Istat data show that in 2025 8% of resident families are in absolute poverty, a stable share compared to 2024. Considering individuals, the phenomenon affects 9.3% of the population, for a total of more than 5.4 million individuals.
Absolute poverty is measured on the basis of a family’s ability to sustain the expenses necessary to purchase essential goods and services and maintain living conditions considered adequate.
Historical comparison highlights a significant increase. In 2014, absolute poverty affected 6.9% of the population, compared to 9.3% in 2025. According to Istat, in the period considered the phenomenon recorded a decrease only in 2019, while the most significant increases occurred in 2020 and 2022.
In the first case the consequences of the pandemic had an impact, while in the second the acceleration of inflation weighed especially on families with less economic resources.
Absolute poverty higher in the South, comparison with the North and Centre
Economic conditions change significantly between different areas of the country. In 2025, the South has the highest incidence of absolute poverty, equal to 11.5%, although the figure has decreased compared to the 12.5% recorded in 2024.
In the North the percentage stood at 8.5%, a slight decrease compared to 8.8% the previous year. The most favorable situation is observed in the Centre, where the share of people in absolute poverty is 7.4%, compared to 7.6% in 2024.
Another indicator used by Istat is the risk of poverty, which measures the share of people with an equivalent disposable income lower than 60% of the national median value.
This parameter is different from absolute poverty, because it considers family income compared to the income distribution of the population. In 2025, the risk of poverty affects 32.1% of residents in the South, a percentage more than three times higher than the 10.4% recorded in the North.
In the Center the value is 15.1%, while the national average stands at 18.6%, substantially stable compared to 18.9% in 2024. The differences are also particularly evident at a regional level.
In Sicily the risk of poverty reaches 38.4%, in Campania 35.6% and in Calabria 32.8%. The three regions therefore exceed 30% and present values significantly higher than the Italian average.
Risk of poverty, Italy in 21st place in the EU
International comparison shows an Italian situation that is less favorable than the European average. According to Eurostat data reported in BES 2026, 22.6% of the Italian population is at risk of poverty or social exclusion, compared to an average of 20.9% in the European Union. Italy occupies 21st place among the 27 Member States, considering the order from the lowest to the highest value of the indicator.
The European parameter includes three dimensions: risk of poverty, severe material and social deprivation and low work intensity of families. In comparison with other countries, Italy has a higher percentage than Germany and France, both close to the European average, but lower than Spain, where the value reaches 25.7%. The Czech Republic has the lowest figure, at 11.5%, while Bulgaria has the highest, at 29%.
