In recent months there has often been talk of decreasing inflation and finally more stable prices. But when we move from statements to numbers, the question on everyone’s mind is: are salaries really keeping up with the pace of the rising cost of living, or do we continue to slowly lose purchasing power?
To understand this, just look at the official numbers of consumer price indices for families of workers and employees (FOI). They are those used as a reference for rents, revaluations and contracts. And the data, published in November 2025, tells a very simple reality.
How much the cost of living has increased in recent years
In 2023, the average price index stood at 118.7 points. In 2024, this index rose to 119.7 points. The difference translates into an overall increase in the cost of living of 0.84%. This means that, in order not to suffer a loss of purchasing power, wages and pensions would have had to grow by at least 0.84%. If the salary increase was lower, citizens effectively started 2024 with a reduced spending capacity, despite receiving the same nominal amount.
In the following year, 2025, although inflation was contained from historical highs, it did not stop at all. Looking at the data for the first ten months, the average FOI index reached 121.39 points. Comparing this value to that recorded in 2024, a growth in the cost of living of 1.41% is highlighted. Put in practical terms, just to maintain exactly the same lifestyle, the same shopping cart and the same ability to pay bills as in 2024, salaries (again) would have to increase by at least 1.4%. If this neutralization does not occur, the gap between prices that increase and wages that remain unchanged widens, slowly eroding the economic well-being of families.
How much wages should have increased
If we put 2024 and 2025 together, the result is (almost) mathematical. That is, to compensate for the increase in prices, salaries would have had to increase by at least 2.3% over the two-year period.
Who, for example, received a net salary of 1,600 euros in 2023, should have received at least 1,613.44 euros in 2024, in order not to lose purchasing power. Salary which, considering the general trend in the following year, should have increased further, reaching at least 1,636.18 euros this year. The overall difference is 36 euros per month, therefore over 430 euros in a year.
What is the situation today
In Italy, salaries remain largely below the average of the European Union and OECD countries. Furthermore, there is a significant gap between sectors. Even if there are increases compared to a few years ago, salary growth remains slow, often insufficient to compensate for the increase in the cost of living (inflation, utility costs, housing, consumer goods).
Jobs in finance, engineering, pharmaceuticals, or “technical” fields tend to offer higher average salaries than many other industries. Geography also plays an important role. The regions of the North and Central-North (or areas such as Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige, Lazio) on average offer higher salaries than the South and the islands. Finally, the gender gap also remains a problem. In certain market segments or career levels, women continue to earn lower average salaries than men.
