No to regular meals, without a car, in crisis with the rent: one in 4 person at risk of poverty in Italy

You cannot afford a regular meal, not having a car available, not being able to pay the rent. These are the signs of deprivation that push the risk of poverty. A risk linked to low wages, under 60% of the EU average and the need to make ends meet the family budget if you have dependent children. Women are the most exposed. A situation that in Italy in 2024 involved about one in 4 people (just under 25%). A status that Eurostat represents precisely as the risk of « serious deprivation ».

Statistics

The European Statistics Institute periodically updates this statistics on possible poverty that sees a lower European average, but slightly, the Italian one: A total of 93.3 million people in the EU in 2024 were at risk, equal to 21% of the population. The risk of poverty or social exclusion in the EU is higher for women that for men (21.9% compared to 20%). The work status has strongly influenced the risk of poverty, which clearly varies from 10.9% for employees to 66.6% for the unemployed.

The family composition

The family composition also weighs: over a fifth (21.9%) of the EU population who lived in families with dependent children was at risk of poverty. As for age, the highest risk was recorded for young people, almost adults, aged between 18 and 24 (26.2%), While the lowest risk was recorded for adults aged between 25 and 49 (19.2%).

The risk exclusion

In addition, the risk of poverty or social exclusion was 19.4% for people aged or over 65 years of age and 20.8% between the population aged between 50 and 64. Even the younger age group, people under the age of 18, had a relatively high risk (24.2%).

The level of education

In addition to age, – explains Eurostat – the level of education has had a considerable impact on the risk of poverty or social exclusion. At the EU level, more than a third (33.9%) of all people aged 18 or over 18 with a low level of education They were at risk compared to 10.2% of people of the same age group with a level of tertiary education (high). The corresponding percentage for people with an average level of education was 19.3%.

Rates between countries

Clearly more than a fifth (21.9%) of people who live in families with dependent children in the EU were at risk of poverty or social exclusion, a percentage slightly higher than that of children without children charged (20.1 %). However, these rates varied considerably from a country
to the other of the EU.

What is serious deprivation

But what is the serious deprivation for the EU? On a family level, it is substantiated in the non -ability to cope with unexpected expenses, to afford to pay for a week of annual vacation away from home, to cope with payment backgrounds (on mortgages or lease fees, bills, installment installments or other loans payments), Allow yourself to be a meal with meat, chicken, fish or vegetarian equivalent every two days, keep the house adequately in the heat to have access to a car for personal use, replacement of worn furniture.

Worn -out clothes without connection

On an individual level: do not have an internet connection, not to be able to replace worn clothes with some new ones, have two pairs of suitable shoes (including a pair of shoes for all seasons), Spending a small amount of money every week for themselves, have regular recreational activities, gathering with friends/family for a drink/meal at least once
per month.