Italian Families' Wealth Grows, But Inequality Deepens

While the net wealth of Italian families saw a slight increase in late 2025, reaching an average of 453,000 euros compared to 431,000 euros in 2024, the distribution of this wealth remains highly concentrated. A study by Bankitalia confirms that the wealthiest 10% of families control 60.6% of the total net wealth, encompassing real estate and financial assets minus debts. In stark contrast, the less affluent half of families holds only 7.2% of the total wealth.

“

the distribution of wealth is confirmed to be concentrated.

The Gini index, a measure of wealth inequality, shows a slight increase from 71.5 in 2024 to 72.2 in 2025, indicating a widening gap. The composition of wealth portfolios also varies significantly by income level. Families in the lower half of the wealth distribution primarily hold housing (73.6%) and deposits (17.5%), with over 90% of their assets in these forms. Wealthier families, however, maintain more diversified portfolios that include a substantial portion of financial instruments beyond simple deposits.

“

The richest ten percent of families hold 60.6 percent of the total net wealth, while the less affluent half of families hold only 7.2 percent.

These statistics, released by the Bank of Italy since January 2024, combine national accounting data with household finance survey results. The persistent inequality in wealth distribution has reignited the debate on potential corrective measures. Forza Italia, through national deputy secretary Deborah Bergamini, opposes "fiscal blows on assets," emphasizing its historical stance against taxing wealth accumulated through sacrifice.

“

this inequality in wealth distribution has slightly increased compared to 2024.

Conversely, the Democratic Party's secretary, Elly Schlein, and the CGIL leader, Maurizio Landini, have expressed support for wealth taxation. Andrea Orlando, a former minister and member of the Democratic Party's industrial policy committee, acknowledged the growing concentration of wealth. He suggested that wealth taxation would be more effective if implemented at the European level, differentiating it from the taxation of "extra profits," which he noted are higher in Italy than in other European countries.

“

fiscal blows on assets. It is written in our history and in that mission that Silvio Berlusconi had already begun to realize. We cannot conceive of a state that is an enemy of those who manage, with great sacrifice, to create their own wealth.