According to preliminary estimates released byStateIn October 2024Inflation has started to rise again. In Italy, there is an increase of +0.9% year over year. The increase, though modest, represents a reversal from the summer months, in which inflation slowed due to the weather and prices for some holiday-related goods and services fell slightly. With the fall recovery, inflation returns to make its impact felt, recording a An increase of +0.2% Compared to September, when it stood at 0.7 percent.
Data, which may seem limited, has a measurable impact. Family budget Italians, forced to face an estimated increase 256 euros Annual increase for shopping cart. In fact, augmentation mainly affects i. Foodstuffs And apart from basic needs services TransportationSectors in which most of the daily expenditure of families are concentrated. Rising food prices, along with fuel and transport costs, suggest further increases. cost of living In the coming months, while the inflation target for 2024 is at +1.0%, an indication of continued pressure on the purchasing power of Italian families.
Rising Inflation: Implications for Food and Fuel
Istat highlights how the increase is primarily driven by inflation. Food sectorStrongly faster (+3.3%) than the previous month, with increases comprising both processed (+2.0%) and unprocessed goods. This means that fresh produce, fruits and vegetables are being produced first. More expensivemore weight on consumers’ pockets.
Also related to services sector Transportation shows growth, going from +2.4% in September to +2.8% in October. An increase in transport prices can also indirectly affect other sectors, as transport costs are often reflected in it. Distribution chains of consumer goods.
But In front of the energy Instead the data shows a certain stability, with a decrease in the decline of unregulated energy goods, which went from -11.0% to -10.2%, still indicating a modest recovery. For regulated energy goods, however, a significant deceleration is observed in growth, from +10.4% in September to +2.0% in October, helping to partially offset the overall growth of the index. .
Increased spending per family: +256 euros per year
One of the most troubling aspects for consumers is the increase in so-called “shopping cart” prices, which Food and other daily products. Annual growth, according to the data, increased. +2.2% Compared to +1.0% in September, with direct effect Budget Family members For a “typical” family, annual effects are estimated. About 256 euros moreWhile for a small family (for example with only one child) the increase is around 223 euros.
In detail, to better understand the variations, here is a table with the main expenditure categories and the corresponding annual variations:
| Sector | Annual change (%) | Achieved Inflation 2024 (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Processed foods | +2,0 | +2,3 |
| Unprocessed foods | +3,3 | +2,2 |
| Transport related services | +2,8 | +3,0 |
| Regulated Energy Equipment | +2,0 | -1,5 |
| Shopping cart | +2,2 | +2,0 |
Associations alarm: a warm autumn
New inflationary pressures did not take long to fuel the concerns of consumer associations. “Istat data brings Italians back to a warm autumn on the price front,” he announced. Massimiliano DonnaPresident of the National Consumer Union. Donna highlighted how, after a summer hiatus in which prices fell slightly, October marks a recovery that particularly affects essentials. “Certainly alarming The shopping cart is double and food products,” Donna added. According to the expert, there is an urgent need to think about measures that can protect Italian families from rising prices.
In particular, Donna highlighted that an inflation trend of +0.9% puts a total burden of €263 per year on a couple with two children, of which €237 is just for food products and non-alcoholic beverages. . Even for families with only one child the increase is significant, with an average increase in annual expenditure of 223 euros, reflecting a strong pressure on primary consumption.
In detail, LIncrease in costs The estimate per family is equal to:
| Family type | Annual additional costs (Euros) | Of which Foodstuffs (Euro) | (EUR) for transport of which |
|---|---|---|---|
| Couple with two children | 263 | 237,6 | 25,4 |
| Couple with one child | 223 | 210 | 13 |
| Couples without children | 180 | 170 | 10 |
Mattarella: Fighting inflation is a priority.
The President of the Republic also spoke on the subject of inflation recently. Sergio Mattarellawhich recalled the importance of protecting the purchasing power of Italian citizens. “The fight against inflation and the preservation of the real value of savings are priority commitments for any state and, in particular, for our republic,” Mattarella announced on the occasion of World Savings Day.
The statement comes at a critical time for many Italian families, who are facing rising prices in key sectors. Saving and purchasing power preservation therefore emerges as a key challenge for future economic policies, and ensuring that inflation does not become a more serious threat to collective welfare. Moreover, it deals with another much-discussed topic, namely budget law. The maneuver promises improvements for families, but many remain skeptical. The unions themselves are not satisfied (except CISL) and have called for a national strike at the end of November.
