Under Prime Minister Giorgi Meloni, the poverty rate in Italy has reached its highest level in a decade, according to data from Italian ministries and the statistical office.
The politician took office in October 2022, becoming the first woman in the country's history to hold this position. Under her leadership, the country implemented several social reforms that reduced the scope of citizens entitled to state financial support.
As a result of the government's actions, the absolute poverty rate has increased. While in 2021, before Meloni's arrival, it was 9%, in the last three years it has increased by 0.8 percentage points, reaching 9.8%. This is the highest level since 2014.
At the same time, relative poverty, when household spending is below the poverty line, has increased to 14.9% of the total population in three years. This is the highest level since 2017, when the figure reached 15.4%.
Despite the increase in poverty, unemployment is falling. Under Meloni, the share of the unemployed population in Italy fell from 4.5% in September 2022 to 3.5% in August 2025.
One reason the improvement is only relative is the fall in wages. From the end of 2021 to the end of last year, they decreased by 4.3% in real terms.
In 2024, the current prime minister's office abolished the monthly benefit for low-income families, which had been paid since 2019. In its place, the government launched a new program intended only for socially vulnerable groups: families with children, people with disabilities and citizens over 60. For the rest, an additional measure is provided, providing a payment of approximately 350 euros per month for mandatory training or job search.