Italy continues to grapple with widespread economic fragility. According to the 38th edition of the Eurispes Italy Report, presented in Rome, 62.1% of Italians say they struggle to make ends meet, while roughly one-third of households are forced to rely on savings to cover everyday expenses.
Based on more than 2,000 questionnaires, the report paints a picture of a country marked by deep social and economic inequalities. Housing costs remain one of the biggest burdens, with more than 45% of families reporting difficulties paying rent. Utility bills, mortgage payments, and healthcare expenses also weigh heavily on household budgets.
To cope with rising costs, 60.2% of Italians say they postpone purchases considered necessary, while many are cutting back on travel, dining out, and leisure activities. Healthcare is increasingly becoming unaffordable as well: 34.6% of respondents reported skipping routine medical checkups, and nearly one in four said they had postponed specialist visits for financial reasons.
The report also highlights stark wealth disparities. The richest 10% of Italian households hold nearly 60% of the country’s total wealth, while the poorest half owns just 7.4%.
Public concern over inflation remains high. More than 80% of Italians believe prices increased over the past year, particularly in food, fuel, restaurants, and travel. Almost half of respondents expect the national economy to worsen further over the next twelve months, reflecting growing uncertainty and distrust in the future.
The report also points to ongoing changes in the labor market, especially regarding remote work. Smart working remains highly valued, with nearly 14% of remote workers saying they would consider changing jobs if forced back into full-time office work.
Trust in institutions remains mixed. Italians continue to express strong confidence in the President of the Republic, while Parliament and the government receive significantly lower approval ratings.
Eurispes president Gian Maria Fara described Italy as facing a “constellation of crises,” citing slow economic growth, high public debt, declining birth rates, and the continued emigration of young Italians abroad.