Italy Sees Highest Poverty Levels Since 2014 Despite Economic Recovery

• Poverty in Italy rose to 5.75 million people, 9.8% of the population, in 2023 - the highest level since 2014 • This was despite Italy's strong economic recovery from the COVID recession compared to neighbors • The percentage in poverty rose steadily from 6.9% in 2014, except for a small dip in 2019
• The right-wing government phased out a poverty-relief subsidy introduced in 2019 • The scrapped subsidy had previously helped 1 million families emerge from poverty in 2019