About 5 million Italians live in absolute poverty

 

The number of Italians living in absolute poverty held steady in 2018 after three straight years of growth, though the problem remains at a record high.

About 5 million people or 8.4% of the population live in absolute poverty, defined as those unable to buy goods and services “essential to avoid grave forms of social exclusion”, according to data from national statistics bureau ISTAT.

In terms of families, the number was 1.8 million, the highest since ISTAT records began in 2005.

In Italy’s south, more than 11% of people were living in absolute poverty last year, ISTAT said. That compared with 6.6% in central regions including the capital, Rome, and around 7% in the north including the financial capital, Milan.

 

Via ISTAT

 

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