Overview

• Istat told joint Chamber–Senate commissions reviewing the 2025 Dpfp that company workforces are tilted toward employees in their 50s and that young workers are scarce.
• The agency said real wages are still about 9% below January 2021 levels despite a progressive recovery.
• Istat cited evidence that bringing in young people with digital skills increases firm productivity and urged employers to recruit, retain and better compensate this cohort.
• Recent data highlighted nominal pay gains that outpaced inflation in 2024—up 3.5% in industry, 4.3% in construction and 2.8% in services—alongside active but incomplete contract renewals in 2025.
• Istat reported 2024 household consumption broadly stable at €2,755 per month, with about one in three families limiting food purchases and a 37.9% spending gap between North‑East and South, while the Dpfp annex projects higher disposable income but no decline in absolute poverty or inequality.