Thirteenth month 2025 at 52.5 billion. But only 1 in 2 will use them to buy presents
Ipsos Confesercenti survey: growing share of those who allocate additional month's pay to savings and mandatory spending
In the pockets of Italians, 52.5 billion thirteenth month's pay is about to arrive, an increase of 1.2 on 2024, but only one out of two will use it for gifts, while the quota of those who allocate it to savings and obligatory expenses is growing. This is what emerges from a Ipsos Confesercenti survey on the use of the additional monthly payment, coming soon for around 36 million Italian pensioners and employees.
The survey data show a double dynamic, almost 'Aesop's fable-like': many Italians are behaving like cicadas and concentrating an important part of Christmas on their thirteenth month, but the number of ants is also on the increase, i.e. those who choose to protect themselves by allocating a portion to savings and non-deferrable expenses. The main item of expenditure remains the Christmas 'classic': 50% indicate presents as their priority destination, with a peak in the Middle East (59%). Alongside gifts, other festive expenses (22%) and travel (23%) hold their own. But the prudential component is also growing: 31% will use their 13th month to increase savings and 20% will allocate it to bills and back payments.
Alongside this line of caution are other obligatory expenses and budget management items: 11% would use it to pay mortgages or loans and 14% for health. Then there remain non-negligible shares of 'functional' use: 21% indicate household expenses, 18% other purchases of goods or services and 9% would allocate it to investments. Even sales are already part of the plans: 27% plan purchases in January using resources from their 13th month. Finally, 5% say they have not yet decided. "The 13th month," explains Confesercenti, "brings together two Italies: the one that starts year-end spending and the one that tries to put its accounts in order. It is a clear signal: the increase in employment alone is not enough if real incomes remain compressed and work, both dependent and self-employed, continues to get poorer. To get consumption back on track in a stable manner, we need to accelerate the recovery of purchasing power, reducing the tax burden and supporting quality bargaining'.
