A landscape of growing inequalities
Italy is facing growing economic inequality, with an increasingly marked gap between the richest and the poorest sections of the population. According to the Oxfam Italia report, in 2024 the wealth of Italian billionaires increased by 61.1 billion euros, reaching a total of 272.5 billion euros held by only 71 individuals. This phenomenon highlights a structural problem that afflicts our country, where more than 2.2 million families live in conditions of absolute poverty, unable to satisfy basic needs
.
The gap between rich and poor
In 2024, the richest 10% of Italian families held almost 60% of the national net wealth, a significant increase compared to 2010, when the ratio was 6.3. This increase in wealth concentration is alarming, since the richest 5% own 47.7% of total wealth, while the poorest 90% hold only 20%. The situation is further aggravated by the stagnation of wages, which have not increased significantly in the last thirty years, despite rising inflation that has eroded the
purchasing power of workers.
The challenges of the labor market
The Italian labor market still presents significant challenges, with young people and women who continue to suffer discrimination and to be penalized by precarious and poorly paid contracts. Despite an overall improvement in employment, the unemployment rate fell to 5.7%, but inequalities remain evident. Mikhail Maslennikov, policy advisor on economic justice, emphasized the need to address structural weaknesses in the labor market, promoting policies that reduce pay gaps and improve the quality
of employment.
Proposals for a fairer future
Oxfam has submitted recommendations to the government to address poverty and inequalities. Proposals include the introduction of a legal minimum wage, the definition of main collective agreements and the implementation of a progressive tax on large assets. It is also essential to combat tax evasion and ensure a fairer tax system, so that the richest taxpayers contribute in proportion to their income. Only through concrete and targeted measures will it be possible to reduce the economic gap and guarantee a decent life for all Italian citizens
.