Results of the 2025 Italy Report
Lift the veil of appearances and return to
acting with ‘essential thinking’
The Italy 2025 Report, now in its 37th edition, revolves around 6 chapters, each of which offers a dichotomous reading of the reality examined, and is structured through 6 essays and 60 phenomenological factsheets. Thus, through a dual reading of reality, themes that Eurispes considers representative of Italy’s current political, economic and social situation are addressed.
The thematic dichotomies identified for the Italy 2025 Report are:
UNION/DIVISION – CARE/CARELESSNESS – CONCENTRATION/DISTRIBUTION
CHOICE/OBLIGATION – HOPE/RENUNCIATION – EASE/DISCOMFORT
The General Considerations signed by the President of Eurispes, Gian Maria Fara, which open the Italy Report, outline the country’s situation and offer an interpretation of some of the processes of change underway: “Italy is at the crossroads, we pointed out last year; and it is still so in this 2025, which continues to be fraught with tensions, ruptures, and tragedies on both the domestic and international fronts. We are still at the crossroads of the fundamental personal and collective choices that must be made in response to the new challenges brought about by the often surprising and radical changes. This statement is not the fruit of an exercise in rhetoric, but finds justification in the analyses, in the evaluation of the transformation processes of our society. When we try to go deeper from the surface, when we decide to lift the veil of appearances, then the full extent of the current crisis emerges, a crisis that undermines and depresses the values and fundamental factors on which our systems of coexistence, our processes of growth and development have been based and organised. The state of uncertainty involves, for example: our idea of peace, as an unavoidable condition of coexistence between peoples and states’.
“Recalling these main elements signals that our society is subject to processes of radical change,” clarifies the President of Eurispes, “in which the ethical, religious, cultural, political and social values on which our system has been built and has been able to progress for decades are called into question. When the essential values of a community are being questioned, as is currently the case, at least in Italy and within the European Union, we should all make every effort to consider the true reality before us. We should strive to understand it and face it, precisely, with ‘essential thinking’, putting aside ephemeral assessments, superficial attitudes‘.
“The courage and the ability to recover guidelines for action marked by the value of ‘essential thinking’, first and foremost, should induce Italy to behave in a manner consistent with the commitment it made at the international level, when in 2024 it voted for the United Nations’ ‘Pact for the Future‘ . In this regard, it is worth recalling that already in 2016 we sent an open letter to the then President of the Council of Ministers, in which we proposed the establishment of an ‘Agency for the Future’ in order to get our country out of the culture of emergency and promote wide-ranging planning, oriented by a long-term vision. This proposal of ours is even more valid in the current situation.
Another commitment that we believe would be useful for Italy should concern the definition by our political class, first and foremost, of a ‘Pact for Italian Democracy‘, aimed at introducing a real system of governance in our country, capable of ensuring a rapid decision-making process and guaranteeing the exercise of a truly active and responsible participation by the main public and private actors. Renew the institutions, in short, and their decision-making mechanisms to adapt them to the needs of the present time. And, above all, overcome the pathology of ‘against’ to discover the advantages of the culture of ‘for’.
It would be decisive, for example, to unbureaucratise Europe, not just Italy, and return it to its role as a great agency of meaning and guidance‘.
“Within the framework of the ‘Pact for Italian Democracy’, a place of fundamental importance should be given to the theme of education and the enhancement of human capital, to which – explains Fara – Eurispes has dedicated 2025. The topic of education is becoming increasingly central in the Italian public debate, although not to the extent that is yet necessary. Compared to the past, however, there is a greater awareness of the importance of education for the future of the country, since it affects strategic areas such as the economy, employment and work, correct civil behaviour, and security’.
“In the face of the complexity we have to deal with, we continue to rely on the teaching of our master, Franco Ferrarotti, when he explained that the researcher must not offer solutions, but ask questions and point out problems. In this sense, then, the questions to ask could be these: are we really operating with valid, far-sighted choices, capable of giving us a glimpse, at the very least, of prospects worthy of pursuit? Are we really moving with an adequate heritage of values, of thought and ideas, of behaviour in this direction? Are we adequately equipped to face the imponderable and the unpredictable?“.
To conclude, the call for us to recover and measure ourselves, all of us, with what we have called ‘essential thinking’ goes in this direction that we would simply describe as obligatory. ‘Truth,’ said Bertold Brecht, ‘can only impose itself to the extent that we impose it; the victory of reason can only be the victory of those who reason’.
The Report is enriched not only by in-depth thematic fact sheets on various phenomena, but also by sample surveys that, in this year’s edition, probed some of the topics traditionally observed by Eurispes, including: trust in institutions; political participation; opinion on ethical issues; Italianness; anti-Semitism; the economic situation of families and consumption; the use of new technologies; eating habits; the relationship with the animal world and numerous other topics of close relevance.
Trust in Institutions: President of the Republic, Defence, Law Enforcement, Intelligence always the most beloved
Citizens’ trust in the institution system is decreasing (33.1 per cent in 2024, now 36.5 per cent). However, this negative trend cannot be seen in all the institutions observed individually. In fact, we see citizens’ trust in the President of the Republic, Sergio Mattarella, increasing, from 60.8% in 2024 to 63.6% in 2025.
On the other hand, there is a decrease in support for Parliament (from 33.6% to 25.4% this year); to a lesser extent for the Executive (from 36.2% in 2024 to 30.2%), in line with the trend of recent years; trust in the Judiciary also falls (from 47% to 43.9%).
Even in 2025, those who feel they have no trust in the Presidents of the Region prevail (47.3% overall, they were 38.9%) compared to the share of the trusting.
With regard to the forces of law and order, trust in the Carabinieri increased from 68.8% in 2024 to 71.6% in 2025. The feeling of trust in the State Police is growing again (from 63.5% 2024 to 68.6% in 2025). Similarly, the Guardia di Finanza reaches 71.9% of consensus (66.1% in 2024).
With regard to the Armed Forces, 75.5% of citizens trust the Army (it was 69.4 in 2024); at the same time, Italians express overlapping support for the Air Force (77.4%) and the Navy (77.1%).
The Coast Guard also grows from 71.8% confidence in 2024 to 72.1% today.
Still looking at the security sector, there is a growing feeling of trust among citizens, who in 67.2% of cases express a positive opinion of the work carried out by the Intelligence (+4.4% compared to 2024). Always on plebiscitary positions of consensus are positioned the Fire Brigade (86.2% trustful). The Prison Police grew (from 59.5% to 64.4% in 2025) as did the Local Police (56.2%; it was at 54.3% in 2024).
Among the other institutions considered with rates below 50% of the consensus are: political parties (down from 29.8% in 2024 to 21.1% in 2025); religious denominations other than Catholic (down from 34.5% to 31.1%); trade unions (38.6% of the consensus in 2025 against 42.7% in 2024); public administration (down from 44.4% to 36.3%); and employers’ associations (down from 46% to 42.5%).
Still on the decline in trust, but with institutions expressing values over 50 percentage points, are Civil Protection (from 78.5% to 74.4%); Voluntary Associations (from 68.7% to 60%); Schools (from 66% to 64.9%) and the National Health System (from 58.3% to 54.6%).
Increasing trust on the part of citizens, albeit with small shares, are the university (from 71.8% in 2024 to 72.3% in 2025); the church (from 52.1% to 52.6%) and, finally, consumer associations (from 49.1% to 50.5%).
Italians fear a new global economic crisis and extreme weather events, believe in the stability of the current government and approve many of the measures implemented or proposed. Many feel that our country plays a marginal role in the international chessboard. We feel mostly Italian and not European
The data collected by Eurispes in its survey on Italians and politics reveal a certain bewilderment, however, due more to external factors: Italians fear a new global economic crisis, ongoing conflicts, and extreme climatic events. In this context, Italians confirm their trust in the stability of the Meloni government and approve some measures such as the criminal imputability of minors under the age of 14 for serious offences, the new Highway Code, the separation of careers for magistrates, but the global economic framework and the conflicts dangerously close to Europe, create fear for the future.
43.7% of citizens think that Italy is a marginal state, which does not decide but follows the political lines of the United States and the European Union. On the other hand, 39.6% believe that ours is a state that partly decides autonomously and partly follows the political lines of the US and the EU. 43.2% feel above all that they are Italian citizens. Slightly less than one Italian in five (22%) feels European.
Italians fear above all a new global economic crisis (67.6%). Seven out of ten (69.5%) fear extreme weather events and 57.8%, fear the occurrence of earthquakes. The outbreak of World War III is feared by 46.1% of citizens and 45%, fear a new pandemic. The economic-financial failure of the Italian State, as happened to Greece in the past, is feared by 44.4% of Italians, while an extraordinary tax levy to save the national economy is feared by 45.2%.
More contained is the fear of a terrorist attack in Italy (39.7%) or the extension of conflicts within Italian territory (36.3%). Few (35.2%) fear the establishment of a dictatorship in Italy, compared to 64.8% who do not feel this concern. Only 30.3% of Italians fear the advent of a new technical government, a sign that the majority of Italians (69.7%) believe in the durability and solidity of the current coalition government, led by Giorgia Meloni.
An attempt was then made to sound out the opinion of Italians on a number of measures concerning the most debated topics in the political, legal and economic spheres. 55.4% of Italians were in favour of the criminal imputability of minors under the age of 14 for serious offences. Six out of ten Italians (59.3%) agreed with the separation of the careers of magistrates.
When it comes to the suspension of public services due to strikes, when they involve transport, school or health, 52.1% of Italians are against it, against 47.9% in favour.
The short working week (40 to 37.5 hours of work for the same salary) garners the most positive opinions (69%), as does the minimum wage (65.7%) and the citizenship income (60.8%).
The new Highway Code is particularly well received with regard to the stricter penalties for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs (76.9%), as well as for using a mobile phone while driving (74%). The regulations introduced for scooters (67.2 per cent) and the stricter rules for novice drivers (68.6 per cent) are also welcomed.
The economic condition of Italian households: the vulnerability of a share of the population, a strong resilience capacity and the importance of the family network to cope with difficulties remain. Despite this, the indicators read in a historical series are improving
The picture that emerges from the Eurispes survey on the economic condition of families in 2025 confirms, on the one hand, the persistence of a widespread perception of difficulties and vulnerability, while on the other it highlights a family resilience that translates into new adaptations, defensive choices and forms of internal solidarity, a sign of a society that, despite being put to the test by complex years, continues to seek answers in its own social fabric rather than in the institutional system. Despite the fact that the data highlight some particular difficulties faced by families in coping with expenses, analysing the historical series of data, a picture emerges of a general improvement compared to previous years, with some indicators signalling a positive trend reversal.
More than half of the Italians (55.7%) express a negative assessment of the general economic trend in our country over the past year. A fifth of the sample (20%), on the other hand, believes that there have been no major changes, indicating substantial stability. Looking at the near future, 36.7% of Italians believe that the Italian economic situation is set to worsen over the next twelve months, while 30.9% are convinced that the situation will remain stable and 9.5% expect it to improve.
As far as the individual and family economic dimension is concerned, the data show a predominantly stable picture with a large share of citizens (42%) stating that their economic situation has ‘remained substantially unchanged’; for 37.3% it has improved and for 12.6% it has worsened.
Paying rent is the most problematic expense (44.3%), followed by mortgage (32%), utility bills (29.1%) and medical expenses (24.9%). 23.8% of Italians manage to put aside savings, while 35.4% are forced to draw on their savings to make ends meet and almost 60% report difficulties in making ends meet.
Faced with economic difficulties, recourse to the family of origin is the most frequently used solution (29.2%). Another widespread strategy concerns late payments: 20.8% of citizens have paid their bills with a long delay, while 19.3% report delays in paying taxes, condominium instalments (16.4%) and accounts opened with local merchants (11%).
Most Italians report rising prices over the past year. In order to cope, people are forgoing even necessary expenses, outings and holidays. Many decide to pay in instalments (53.4%) and there is a boom in ‘zero interest’ instalments on apps and platforms
The results of the survey on the consumption behaviour of Italian households show a reality still marked by practices of spending restraint and reorganisation, which do not concern only accessory consumption, but touch on central areas of daily life, such as health, personal care and household management. The extensive use of instalments, the growing use of digital platforms to defer payments and the renunciation of health or family support services paint a picture in which economic sustainability is increasingly entrusted to flexible instruments and defensive strategies.
Moreover, strong territorial and social inequalities persist, accentuating the distance between the areas most affected by economic hardship and those where consumption restraint takes on more selective forms. If, on the one hand, a capacity for adaptation emerges, on the other, the behaviours observed give the image of a population that, while trying to preserve a balance, is often forced to make compromises that have a direct impact on the quality of life. Consumption, in this sense, becomes a mirror of the tensions between real needs and material possibilities in a context in which uncertainty continues to condition the choices of Italian families.
On the inflation front, most Italians report rising prices (84.1%), albeit with varying degrees of intensity. In order to contain expenses, Italians postpone one or more necessary purchases (59.5%), give up babysitting (54%), reduce outgoings (50.1%), and cut back on travel or holidays (50%).
Many (45.3%) have had to do without the help of a carer even though they needed it. There are also those who have postponed work or renovations in the home (38.2%) or have decided to pay off the books for certain services such as repetitions, repairs, domestic help, doctors, etc. (37.5%), and slightly fewer (37.2%) have given up other forms of domestic help, such as cleaning staff or a gardener.
Over the past year, more than half of Italians (53.4%; 31.4% once/sometimes, 16.5% often, 5.5% always) have used instalment payments, especially for the purchase of household appliances (44.5%), cars/motorcycles (42.5%) and technology, televisions, smartphones, tablets (42.3%). The use of platforms and apps (e.g. Klarna, Scalapay, Clearpay, Paypal, Satispay, etc.), which allow interest-free instalment payments, is now widespread (65.3%).
The need to curb spending often leads to having to forego necessary expenses for personal health and well-being: 28.2% of Italians gave up dental care/interventions, 27.2% gave up periodic medical check-ups and prevention, 22.3% gave up specialist visits for specific ailments/diseases and 18.1% gave up medical therapies or interventions.
Living in Italy is a fortune: the majority of Italians think so (72%, they were 62.9% in 2011). The Italian imagination remains strongly anchored to affective and cultural dimensions: the beauty of the landscape, historical richness and gastronomic tradition still represent the main pillars of a shared sense of pride. People go abroad for purely economic and work-related reasons
More than seven out of ten Italians, the majority (72%, they were 62.9% in 2011), consider living in Italy in 2025 a fortune. Natural beauty (21.6%), artistic and cultural tradition (19.6%) and good food (14.8%), freedom of opinion and expression (13.2%) and the favourable climate (12%) are the top five reasons that make living in Italy a fortune. Among those who, on the other hand, consider living in Italy a misfortune, general economic conditions (23.2%) and job insecurity (22.7%) occupy the first places among the reasons given.
In the last ten years, according to data from the Anagrafe degli Italiani Residenti all’Estero (AIRE), over 1.2 million citizens have left the country. In 2025, according to the Eurispes survey, almost four out of ten Italians (39.5%, they were 40.6% in 2011) say they would move abroad if they had the chance, compared to 60.5% who would prefer to stay. The reasons for moving are mainly: the search for more job opportunities (29.8%), the lower cost of living (17.1%) and the desire to offer more opportunities to their children (13.9%).
Perceptions of safety and degradation: citizens indicate an increase in juvenile crime and hooliganism
The survey also highlighted the presence of elements of degradation and social problems in the area where people live. Juvenile crime is the phenomenon indicated as growing most sharply: as many as 52.5% of citizens believe that baby gangs and hooliganism have increased in their area, which is particularly alarming as it represents an absolute majority. A third of citizens (33.3%) saw an increase in begging, with a further 31.8% considering the phenomenon stable. The combination of these two responses indicates that almost two-thirds of citizens observe a constant or increasing presence of people begging in their urban contexts. As for homeless people, 26.3% of citizens note an increase, while 34.4% indicate a stable situation.
Growing number of scams against the elderly
According to data from the Department of Public Security – Central Directorate of the Criminal Police of the Ministry of the Interior, the number of fraud victims recorded an almost constant increase from 2015 to 2023 and a decrease in 2024. In contrast, the number of fraud victims over 65 recorded a significant increase in 2024 (+5,782 cases), from 37,108 cases in 2023 to 42,890 (+15.58%). The most affected group is between 65 and 70 years of age. Victims of online scams involving the over-65s are steadily increasing (up to 25,440 in 2024). The sample survey carried out within the framework of the protocol signed by the Central Directorate of the Criminal Police of the Ministry of the Interior and Eurispes, shows, according to the direct or indirect experience of those interviewed, almost 3 out of 10 cases in which the crime of fraud against the elderly occurred. Phone scams (indicated by 71% of those reporting direct or indirect knowledge of scams against the elderly) and scams in person (6 out of 10 cases reported) are very common. In a smaller, but no less worrying percentage, telematic scams via the Internet (43.9 per cent) occurred.
Phenomena of anti-Semitism: although Italians consider them mostly isolated cases, they are the result of widespread hate and racist language. The Jewish community is seen as a closed community (58.2%); the majority does not believe that Jews have appropriated other people’s territories in Palestine (55.8%). Four out of ten Italians do not know how many were the victims of the Shoah
Since 2004, Eurispes has been monitoring the evolution of Italian citizens’ attitudes towards the Jewish people and the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. In April 2025, the Institute also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Coordinator for the fight against anti-Semitism at the Presidency of the Council of Ministers.
The latest survey (2025) explores the level of knowledge and opinions about the Jewish community and episodes of anti-Semitism in Italy. Only 4 out of 10 Italians have a clear idea about the real size of the presence of Jewish citizens in our country (about 30,000).
37.9% of Italians agree with the idea that ‘Jews only think about accumulating money’. For the majority (58.2%), Jews are a closed community. Another widespread idea is that Jews are on average cultured and educated (61.7%).
With respect to the statement that Jews in Palestine have appropriated other people’s territories, Italians tend to be divided: those who disagree prevail (55.8%) over those who agree (44.2%). The idea that the Israeli government’s choices should not influence attitudes towards Jews finds broad agreement (64.6%), although there is a non-negligible share of disagreement (35.4%). Six out of ten Italians (60.4%) answered correctly: there were 6 million victims of the Shoah during Nazi-Fascism. A quarter of the sample (25.5%) believe that there were 2 million victims, while others among the respondents answer eight hundred thousand (7.4%), forty thousand (4.9%), or even about a thousand (1.8%).
There is a widespread opinion that episodes of anti-Semitism in Italy are just isolated cases, not indicators of a real problem of anti-Semitism in Italy (54%); a not insignificant 46%, however, take the opposite view. There is a consensus (53.6%) that these episodes are the consequence of widespread language based on hatred and racism. For 38.9% of the citizens surveyed, the acts of anti-Semitism that have also occurred in Italy are a sign of a dangerous resurgence of the phenomenon in our country. Only for a few it would be shenanigans carried out out out of provocation or as a joke (27.6%).
Tourism, the dark side of hospitality through private homes
Continuing in the vein in which Eurispes has been engaged in the observation of tourism-related phenomena, we intended to analyse the theme of undeclared tourism for private homes used for holiday purposes, focusing on the gap between official statistics on tourist presences and other indicators surveyed by institutional bodies. Starting from this data, it is estimated that, as far as the domestic market is concerned, the flows recorded in the official statistics correspond to about 75% of the real market, thus allowing for an estimated 6 million more Italian travellers, an additional 20 million departures during the year for a total of another 70 million overnight stays. This would bring the total tourist movements from 458,360,609 presences to an estimated 664 million total overnight stays. In addition to these data, the intersection of the indices (Pearson’s index and Spearman’s index) used for the analysis carried out highlight the correlation between the number of unoccupied dwellings and the phenomenon of unofficial overnight stays, up to the strong presence of unregistered short rentals or other forms of informal hospitality in Italy’s great cities of art.
The other Italy: prisons, an open question
2024 was the year with the highest number of inmates in Italy since 2014. On a national level, 2024 was recorded as 20.55% higher than the normative capacity of the institutes. Estimates calculate 18,000 missing units for the Prison Police in relation to the number of inmates. According to the Eurispes survey on different types of open sources between surface and darkweb, 67 prison riots were recorded nationwide in 2024, which caused, between police and inmates, 89 injuries and 1 fatality. In only 28% of the riots that occurred were injuries recorded. The regional distribution is reflected in the cities with the highest number of riots, i.e. Rome (11), Turin (8) and Milan (7). Fires account for about 42% of the total number of events. However, the first type of action (45%) is generalised riots, in which passive resistance actions are also included. The picture of Italian prisons remains marked by persistent overcrowding, which contributes to living conditions, for inmates, and working conditions, for operators, often at the limit of liveability.
Italians’ opinion on ethical issues
Italians in favour of euthanasia are 67.9% (among the lowest figures recorded in a historical series), while 65.7% support the possibility of resorting to euthanasia in the event of advanced dementia if indicated by the person concerned in his or her own advance dispositions: assisted suicide, with the help of a doctor to end one’s life, finds 46.9% of citizens in favour. 77.8% of Italians are also in favour of living wills. Legal protection of de facto couples regardless of sex (70.2%) and same-sex marriages (66.8%) are also widely supported. Slightly more than one Italian in two is in favour of the possibility of adopting children for homosexual couples (51.9%) and singles (54.3%). Heterologous fertilisation is favoured by 59.7% of citizens while few agree with the practice of uterus for rent (35.5%).
If the possibility of changing sex through self-declaration by the person concerned does not find much support (37.2%), the recognition of gender identities that do not reflect female or male convinces just over half of Italians (51.1%).
Finally, the legalisation of soft drugs (42%) and the legalisation of prostitution (48.2%) stopped below 50% support.
Identity and exclusion. Woke themes only partly make inroads with Italians
With regard to the issues of identity and inclusion, 51.3% of citizens agree that men enjoy privileges at work compared to women; 57.2% of citizens are of the opinion that white people are privileged over black people; 50.2% agree that homosexual/bisexual/trans people are discriminated against in the world of work; 51.3% agree that these people are discriminated against in social relationships.
Favouring the labour insertion of ethnic minorities is an idea that is shared (59.7%), while on the statement ‘it is right that men should feel guilty towards women because they have advantages in the world of work and social recognition’, only 36.3% agree.
According to 63.5% of Italians, the West is the cradle of democracy, the same percentage indicates that the most important scientific and technological discoveries are due to the West, while 58% are convinced that the West’s artistic and cultural production is superior to that of the rest of the world.
Italians and technology: a connected citizenship is affirmed, but not for this reason pacified. People experiment, try, explore, but do not always choose with full awareness. Adherence to the new technological tools is broad but uneven, marked by deep fractures: between generations that inhabit different digital spaces, between those who make technology a resource and those who perceive it as a threat, between those who demand regulation and those who chase freedom. The distance is not only anagraphic: it is cultural, symbolic, affective
Artificial intelligence has not yet achieved widespread diffusion among the population: the majority of Italians (about 58%) say they have never used it. Curiosity (62.7%), recreational use (55.7%) and the habit of using it in the workplace (48.4%) or for study (39.2%) are the main reasons for using it. Overall, only a limited part of the population shows a fully positive view: 20.5% see AI as an opportunity, while just 7.2% identify it as a solution to many problems. On the other hand, 19.1% would like to see universal regulation, while 32.6% show a more critical view, between those who see it as a problem for the future of humanity (16.6%) and those who consider it a dangerous but manageable technology (16%). A similar proportion, 20.6%, admit that they do not yet have a definite opinion. The degree of acceptance of the use of AI in areas traditionally considered ‘human’, such as creativity, writing and education, is generally low (never above 40%).
Only 7.9% of Italians do not use social networks, often judging them as a source of distraction and time taken away from other activities (46.6%). On the other hand, Social Networks are also a place where they feel freer to express themselves and interact with others (39.5%), where they feel less alone (35.4%). Some have the feeling, by being on Social, of feeling outside the real world (35.3%). Less widespread, but still relevant, is nervousness when one does not have the possibility to connect (29.2%).
Influencers only partly orientate users’ choices: 29% went to a restaurant or club after seeing a content posted by an influencer (29%), a similar proportion bought a product or brand promoted by them (28.8%) or chose their holiday location (25.2%). By contrast, the impact is lower in contexts such as: participation in charitable initiatives, voting choices, buying natural medicine products or drugs. These percentages double among young people who, on the other hand, adhere more frequently to suggestions made by influencers.
In the process of forming opinions, Italians mention personalities from the world of culture, with 23.5% of the preferences, followed by journalists, who collect 14.7% including both the traditional press and online information. The other figures are decidedly more marginal: show business personalities stop at 10.1%, political leaders at 7.5% and influencers at 6.8%.
The proportion of Italians who do not eat meat remains stable. Diets ‘without’ are becoming increasingly popular even when there is no real need
The majority of Italians claim to be omnivores (84.9 per cent), 9.5 per cent do not eat meat because they are vegetarian (6.6 per cent) or vegan (2.9 per cent), while 5.6 per cent have been vegetarians in the past.
Diets ‘without’ are becoming increasingly popular, with a significant number of those who adhere to them despite having no medical need, intolerances or allergies. The most popular are sugar-free foods (28.2%) along with lactose-free (27.3%). A minority buy gluten-free (18%), yeast-free (16.4%) and egg-free (15.4%). 57.4% of citizens say they use (sometimes, often or habitually) dietary supplements, 56% mix dried fruit and seeds, 52% protein foods, 48.5% seeds (flax, sunflower, hemp, etc.). Few consume foods containing cannabis, legally on the market (17.2%).
More and more Italians (compared to the 2017 survey) are using ‘Dottor Google’ to search the Net for information on health and illnesses, but the doctor remains an irreplaceable point of reference
Three out of four Italians turn to a doctor when they have a health problem; in particular, to a general practitioner 59.6% and to a specialist 15.6%. Only 13% try, if possible, to solve their health problem by seeking information and advice on the Net. 11.8% find other solutions.
When one then asks how many people happened to look for information on the Internet when they had a health problem, the results change. 65.6% said they had looked for information on the Net. Of these, 59.5 per cent also went to a doctor, while 6.1 per cent did not, probably considering the answers to their health questions obtained online to be exhaustive. Information and advice relating to one’s health is sought on the Net by a total of 71.9% of people, albeit with varying frequency. The Net is used to find out what the symptoms/disorders felt were due to (61.9%), to find out about good practices/habits useful for health (52.8%), to find out what drugs to use for the disorder manifested (34.2%), to find out what examinations one will probably have to do (35.2%).
In 4 out of 10 homes there is a pet. More than half of the owners incur a monthly expense of between 31 and 100 euros, with figures increasing over time. The use of insuring one’s pets is starting to spread. The love for animals is confirmed by the vast majority of Italians who are against vivisection, hunting, furs and their use in circuses, but also against their slaughter when they are outnumbered
According to data from Eurispes, pets are increasingly present in Italians’ homes. In 2025, 40.5% of Italians say they will welcome an animal (+3.2% compared to 2024): dogs and cats in equal measure (37%).
The total monthly spending budget for more than half of the owners ranges from EUR 31 to EUR 100. Looking at the data in a historical series shows that the trend is still to spend more and more.
They mainly spend on food (51% of owners on average less than EUR 50 per month) and medical expenses (40% between EUR 31 and EUR 100 per month). Almost a quarter of owners have given up getting other animals because of the financial costs and, for the same reason, one in ten have been forced to give up their pet.
Joining a health insurance (15.5%) or one for legal protection and liability (16%) is perhaps a trend that is beginning to spread.
As far as environmental issues are concerned, Italians are against vivisection (78.7%), hunting (68.3%), the use of furs (79.4%), animals in circuses (76%) and intensive farming for food (71.4%). The percentages decrease, but are still well above 50%, with regard to the killing of animals outnumbered by the sustainability of the territory in suburban areas (66% against) or outnumbered near or within urban areas (60.1%). Whereas the culling of animals that are potentially dangerous to humans if they approach inhabited areas, those against are fewer in number (54.7%).