In a country with one of the largest European economies, many people still struggle to make ends meet. In 2024, more than 5.7 million individuals lived in absolute poverty, meaning they did not have enough income for basic needs like food, housing and services. Absolute poverty was highest in the southern regions of the country and remained relatively stable compared to the previous year. While poverty affects people of all ages, children also face hardship. In 2024, more than 1.2 million minors were living in absolute poverty, or about 13.8% of children nationwide. These persistent levels show that social and economic challenges remain widespread even after short‑term economic recovery.

Because of these challenges, the Italian government and partner organizations have pursued policies and programmes that support families, help people find work and improve local economies as part of broader poverty reduction in Italy efforts. These actions focus on income support, job services, skills training and community development.

Income Support and Job Services

Even though income support helps families meet basic needs, long‑term stability often depends on access to employment opportunities. Italy’s Citizens’ Income program, which was in place until 2024, provided conditional financial assistance to low‑income households alongside job training and job search support. The program helped many families connect with employment services while easing short‑term financial stress.

When individuals receive both financial assistance and employment support, they have a better chance of finding stable work. Government employment centres across Italy provide job search assistance, vocational reviews and connections to employers. These services help people transition from immediate support to long‑term economic independence.

Nonprofit Organizations Supporting Vulnerable People

While government programs are important, nonprofit organizations also play a key role in helping communities respond to economic hardship. Caritas Italiana is one of Italy’s largest charities that works directly with people experiencing poverty and exclusion.

Caritas works with a network of local groups across Italy to provide food assistance, counselling, basic services and community support. It also promotes inclusive education and training for vulnerable people such as youth and families struggling with financial hardship. These services help people build confidence, access services and find work when they are ready.

In addition to direct services, Caritas conducts research on poverty and social exclusion so that policymakers and civil society can better understand the root causes of economic hardship and develop effective responses. The organization also coordinates with Catholics charities across Europe to broaden its support network.

Education and Workforce Development

Although income support and immediate services help families meet basic needs, long‑term stability often depends on people gaining employment and important skills. According to the OECD Employment Outlook, Italy’s unemployment rate has declined in recent years but still remains above the OECD average and job growth could be moderate in the near future. These trends show how critical workforce development and labour market programmes are for increasing opportunities for people at risk of poverty.

While employment support is essential, government and EU programs for training and labour inclusion also play a key role. Italy’s National Program for Guaranteed Employability of Workers (GOL) is an active labour market policy that offers retraining, skills upgrading and job placement services to unemployed and vulnerable workers. The program has already reached hundreds of thousands of people, and that number could hopefully increase in the future.

Because lifelong learning and skills development boost a person’s chances of finding work that pays a living wage, ongoing education initiatives are important for future progress. According to a survey by European training authorities, adult participation in learning increased in Italy in recent years, and reforms tied to national recovery plans aim to strengthen vocational training and workforce readiness across sectors. These efforts help individuals adapt to evolving labour market demands and improve their economic prospects.

Progress and Path Forward

Even though regional inequalities and economic hardship still affect many families, coordinated policies and partnerships show that poverty can be addressed through targeted solutions. Employment initiatives, income support services and education programmes work together to help people build confidence, connect with employers and gain stable incomes. These efforts contribute to broader poverty reduction in Italy by giving people stronger tools to support themselves and their families.

Since improving economic opportunity is an ongoing process, continued investment in workforce development, social services and community programmes could be essential for sustained poverty reduction in Italy and the well-being of future generations.

– Anaisha Kundu

Anaisha is based in Skillman, NJ, USA and focuses on Global Health for The Borgen Project.

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