Almost half of those who turned to
Catholic relief agency Caritas last year were Italians, and
almost 63% of the poor were unemployed, it said in a report
Wednesday.
Caritas made the comments on the same day that national
statistics agency Istat released new data on poverty showing
that in 2014, the number of poor was stable after two years of
increases.
However, more than 4.1 million people were living in
absolute poverty last year, Istat added.
According to Caritas about 46.5% of those defined as poor
were Italians, with remainder immigrants to the country.
Having a job was also a key factor, as 62.7% of the poor
had no work, said Caritas.
The agency said that in the first half of last year, some
46,000 people turned to its centres for help including food and
clothing.
Subsidies to pay utility bills and health-care expenses
were also given out by Caritas.
According to the Istat report, last year 5.7% of the
population was living in absolute poverty and 10.3% in relative
poverty.
It defined the relative poverty threshold, for a two-member
household, as the equivalent to 1,041.91 euros - about 10 euros
less compared with 2013 threshold.
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED © Copyright ANSA
