Poverty in Italy at highest level in 15 years - ISTAT

(ANSA) - ROME, MAR 4 - ISTAT said Thursday that the number of people in absolute poverty in Italy reached the highest level in 15 years in 2020, according to preliminary data.
    The national statistics agency said the incidence of families in absolute poverty was up from 6.4% in 2019 to 7.7% in 2020, which means over two million households were in absolute poverty, up 335,000 . It said the incidence for individuals rose from 7.7% to 9.4%, meaning 5.6 million people are in absolute poverty, up by over a million in a year. The rise registered in the year of the COVID-19 pandemic means the reduction in poverty levels achieved in 2019 has been reversed.
    ISTAT also said Thursday that the monthly spending of the average Italian household dropped to 2,328 euros last year, down by 9.1% with respect to 2019 and the same level as the year 2000.
    The national statistics agency said only food expenditure and spending for the house remained stable last year. (ANSA).