The report

Eurispes: 'More than 6 out of 10 do not make ends meet. The richest 10% hold 59.9% of the wealth"

President Fara: 'the Italia of 2026 is a country that is faced with a constellation of crises that are not emergencies to be managed by the patch-up method, but knots that, if not untied, risk squeezing us in an irreversible grip'

by Pietro Menzani

28 May 2026

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

3' min read

Translated by AI

Versione italiana

Six out of 10 Italians (62.1%) make it to the end of the month with difficulty and, in order to do so, about a third of the population must use their accumulated savings. This was revealed by the 38th edition of the Eurispes Italia Report, which reveals an economic situation "marked by widespread fragility". More than 45% of families, in fact, state that they have difficulty in facing the payment of rent. This is followed by utilities with 28.7%, the mortgage with 27.2% and medical expenses with 25.5%.

The report then shows a country marked by marked inequalities: the survey shows that the richest 10 per cent of Italian families hold 59.9 per cent of the national wealth, while the poorest half hold just 7.4 per cent. Eurispes also points out that in 2024 the assets of the 71 Italian billionaires grew by around 61.1 billion euros, for a total figure of over 270 billion.

The Future of the Economy

Citizens' forecasts on the country's economic development reveal a strong lack of confidence in the future. Almost half of Italians (47.8%) believe that the economic situation will worsen over the next twelve months. This figure is 10% higher than in 2025.

Despite this, more than 42% stated that their personal and family economic situation remained substantially unchanged from last year, although only one in ten Italians experienced an improvement.

In order to cope with the difficulties, 60.2% say they also postpone purchases they consider necessary, while 54.1% cut back on going out and 52.1% on travel and holidays. But medical care is also put aside in order to save money: 34.6% forego regular medical check-ups (up from 27.2% in 2025), 32.1% forego dental care and around 23% forego specialist visits.

Rise in prices

The Eurispes report also shows that, according to 8 out of 10 Italians (82%), prices have risen over the past year. Almost 39% believe that the increase has been more than 8%, while 35.7% report a rise of between 3% and 8%.

Among the categories of goods that registered the highest price increases were foodstuffs (93.3 per cent), fuel (91.2 per cent), meals out (83.4 per cent) and travel and holidays (82.2 per cent). Strong increases were also reported for transport, with 75.4 per cent, clothing and footwear, with 72.4 per cent, and personal care, with 79.9 per cent.

Trust in Institutions

Trust in institutions, however, remained stable compared to 2025. More than 61% say they have full confidence in the President of the Republic. Confirming the great appreciation for this office, more than half of the Italians (50.3%) believe that the head of state should have more power in order to live in a modern and efficient democracy.

Towards the parliament, 26.1 per cent of the citizens express approval, the government stands at 32.1 per cent. Distrust towards the judiciary reaches 46.5 per cent.

The police and armed forces remain popular: the Carabinieri, the Army and the Guardia di Finanza are trusted by more than 70% of the population, the State Police by 66.8%. The report also records an improvement, albeit slight, in the opinion of universities (73.7%), schools (68%), civil protection (78.5%) and voluntary work (64%).

A constellation of crises

Gian Maria Fara, president of the Eurispes, explains that 'the Italia of 2026 is a country that is faced with a constellation of crises that are not emergencies to be managed with the patch-up method, but knots that, if not untied, risk squeezing us in an irreversible grip. Our value, institutional, economic, social and demographic system is subject to pressures that demand answers and do not admit of delays'.

Fara goes on to emphasise that 'Italia is the third largest economy in the euro area; yet, paradoxically, ours is one of the developed countries with the slowest growth, with the highest public debt among advanced democracies, with the lowest birth rate in Europe, and with one of the largest flows of youth emigration on the continent. Our most recent estimates indicate that Italia loses at least 34,700 young people emigrating every year: a unique case in Europe'.

He concludes, however, that this is the 'same country that, between 1950 and 1970, transformed an agricultural nation, torn apart by war, into an industrial powerhouse. That generation was not smarter than today's: it was simply more willing to sacrifice the present to build the future. This willingness is the capital we have squandered'.