Energy poverty in Italy: over 5 million affected as price hikes bite

Energy poverty in Italy: over 5 million affected

New estimates from the CGIA di Mestre, using Istat and OIPE data, indicate that energy poverty involves around 5.3 million people, equal to about 2.4 million households. The measure focuses on household energy consumption (excluding vehicle fuels) and highlights a vulnerability likely to worsen with rising energy prices.

• Most affected regions: Apulia (over 302,500 households, ~700,000 people; incidence ~18%), Calabria (more than 143,400 households; 17.4%), Molise (about 22,650 households; 17%).
• Reference period: analysis refers to 2024 with projections on the effects of 2025 price increases.
• 2025 increases: gas +6.3% and electricity +6.7%, as reported.
• Economic impact: higher energy costs would impose an overall additional burden of about €5.4 billion on household budgets, rising to €6.6 billion compared with 2024.
• Largest regional increases: Lombardy +€1.1 billion; Veneto +€557 million; Emilia-Romagna +€519 million; Lazio +€453 million. Smaller absolute effects in Basilicata (+€45 million), Molise (+€25 million) and Valle d'Aosta (+€10 million).

Analysts warn that without targeted energy policy measures and support for households, energy poverty could spread further, widening territorial disparities and affecting the living standards of millions of citizens.