Absolute poverty, families went from 800 thousand to 2.1 million in 20 years: Istat data

THE ISTAT REPORT

Istat has released data on poverty in Italy: there are 5.4 million people who are unable to pay for essential goods and services. A condition that spares neither those who work nor larger families. Data was at the center of the episode of Numeri, the Sky TG24 program broadcast on 15 October 2026.

THE POOR INCREASE

Over the last twenty years, families in absolute poverty have increased, going from 800 thousand in 2005 to 2.1 million in 2025: in this period of time various factors have had an influence.

THE POVERTY THRESHOLD FOR A THIRTY-YEAR-OLD

For a single thirty-year-old, the poverty threshold is different from city to city: in Milan it is 1256 euros per month, in Nusco, in the province of Avellino, however, it is 772 euros per month. A much lower value.

THE POVERTY THRESHOLD FOR A FAMILY

The same difference applies to a couple with a young child: in Venice the poverty threshold for them would be 1,775 euros per month, in Pozzallo, however, 1314 euros per month.

THE POVERTY THRESHOLD FOR A PENSIONER

The distinction between south and north can also be found for an eighty-year-old pensioner: his poverty threshold in Bologna would be 1109 euros per month, in Soriano Calabro 595 euros per month.

THE DIFFERENCES

Pensions are not very different between north and south: in Bologna, in fact, they are 1549 euros, in Soriano Calabro, however, they are 1220 euros.

THE COMPARISON WITH THE REST OF EUROPE

The concept of absolute poverty does not exist in the rest of Europe: the Istat calculation is not comparable to any Eurostat calculation. There is the concept of "great deprivation", which is considered similar, which shows Spain in the lead and Italy in a better position than the rest of Europe.

FROM 2017 TO TODAY

The comparison, however, remains complicated: according to Istat in Italy the absolute poverty threshold has increased by 23% compared to 2017, while that relating to great deprivation has fallen by 21% according to Eurostat.