One in four young Italians is at risk of poverty (and 5.6% is already in a state of severe deprivation) – Corriere.it

Italy is not a country for young people. To reiterate it, if the latest (and bleak) Istat data on the birth rate were not enough, theEurostatwhich last week released its findings on the poverty risk of citizens aged between 15 and 29 years. In the face of an overall average of 20.1%, in fact, in our latitudes the members of this age group included in the category (i.e. having a net income below 60% of the national median) were the 24.6%: almost one in four. Worse, from this point of view, only Denmark (25.6%), Greece (25.3%), Spain (24.9%) and Romania (24.9%). Same score instead by Sweden. Conversely, the best percentages in terms of economic equality were recorded by the Czech Republic (8.6%), Slovenia (9.9%) and Ireland (10.3%).

One in five Italians at risk of poverty

The situation regarding the risk of poverty for the entire population, regardless of age. In this case, in fact, Italy is placed in sixth from last position at 20.1% ahead of only Latvia (23.4%), Romania (22.5%), Bulgaria (22.1%), Spain (21.7%) and Estonia (20.6%). EU average of 16.8%. But there is good news: being based on data for 2021, the report does not take into account the post-Covid recovery, which, for example, has recently seen the number of employed Italians reach its highest level since 2004 (ie since the beginning of the monthly surveys). At the same time, however, as calculated by Caritas from 2007 to 2021 the number of people in absolute poverty in the boot more than tripledgoing from 1.8 million to 5.6 million (9.4% of the population), 1.4 million of whom are under 18.

Material and social deprivation at 5.6%

Another indicator examined by Eurostat is that relating to material and social deprivation (i.e. the inability to meet unexpected expenses, arrears on mortgages, rent or utility bills, or to afford a week’s vacation away from home): in this case, with a rate of 5.6%, Italians aged 15-29 came in 21st position out of 28, just above the EU average of 6.1% (that relating to the entire population, which is slightly higher, amounts to 6.3%). Looking at everyone from above Estonia (0.6%), Austria (0.9%) and Finland (1.1%). On the other hand, four countries above 10% complete the ranking, drastically raising the average: Hungary (10.3%), Greece (14.2%), Bulgaria (18.7%) and Romania (23.1%).