The net salaries of the Italians are among the lowest, if compared to those of the 69 key countries of the global economy analyzed by Mapping the World’s Pricesby Deutsche Bank. On the other hand, Italy is one of the countries where the iPhone has among the most expensive prices in the EU. Let’s talk about about 282 euros more than the USA. Furthermore, the monthly cost of basic utilities (electricity, water, waste, air conditioning, stimulating for an 82 m2 apartment) are, on average, 218 euros. Value that makes Italy position in 23rd position, upper part of the ranking. Not well even for clothing and the purchase of a ticket for a means of public transport.
The set of these economic data brings the Bel Paese to 41st place, in the genre ranking of the quality of life, which analyzed 69 countries worldwide, combining different key elements such as: the health system, safety, cost of living, pollution and the cost of purchasing a house.
At the top of the ranking we find, Luxembourg, Copenhagen, Amsterdam, Vienna and Helsinki. Geneva is sixth and Zurich octave, with the latter that comes out of the first five positions. These are positive results, but that they are were strongly influenced by the fact that these two cities are now the first in terms of higher life costa factor that influences them compared to other cities. Frankfurt is climbing the ranking of the quality of life and is now in seventh place.
Italy where salaries do not keep up with the cost of living
To have an overview of the non -functioning of our country, we must start from the monthly net wages. According to the study, on average, in Italy this is approximately 2,046 dollars. Since it makes us earn the 44th place. Worse than us, in Europe, Poland (2031), Hungary (1,400), Portugal (1,397) and Greece (1,141). The first in the standings is Switzerland with Geneva which in 2025, has a net salary of 7,984 dollars followed by Zurich with 7,788 and the US with San Francisco (7,092 dollars).
The interesting aspect is that in these cities, with high income, very often correspond to the lower social costs (clothes, smartphones, cigarettes) or in any case only slightly higher than in Italy, where, however, the salary is about $ 5,000 lower. The example par excellence is the iPhone 16 Pro (128 GB). In Italy it costs 1.361 dollars (11th position) in Swisshome of the cities with the highest salaries, you buy it to “Solo” 1,230 dollars (25th position). 131 dollars less. Another example is the purchase of a Summer dress in a clothing chain. In Italy we are on 54 dollars against the 61 in Geneva. Let’s talk about only seven dollars of difference.
Same dynamic for a couple of levis 501 or similar. Italy at the 7th as a more expensive country, with a cost equal to 114 euros, in Geneva 137 euros. For the Coca-cola The trend does not change. In Italy $ 3.30 (13th position) in Geneva $ 5.36 (2nd position), difference of only two dollars. Badly going to the gym. The research shows how a month subscription, on average in Italy, costs on 75 dollarsagainst 80 in Switzerland. Not to mention a Taxis race which in Milan has a price that is around 22.4 dollars on averageagainst the 25 of Geneva (Switzerland). In the USA, in Boston it costs only to $ 13.
Not even the McDonald’s It gives us a joy, given that Italy is positioned for a McMeal in 11th place in the ranking of the most dear countries with an average price of 14 dollars. Better than us even New York with a cost of 12 dollars and London with 10.
The only two consolations are: wine and cappuccino. Drinking a cappuccino costs us on average 1.79 dollars, and makes us position at 68 ° out of 69. The cheaper than Italy only Egypt with 1.57 dollars. A bottle of wine, on average, costs about 4.6 dollars and makes us earn the first place for where you pay less.
Salaries too low
From the study therefore emerges how Italy has prices that are very close to those present in countries with the highest incomes. This exquisitely Italian dynamic is however exasperating the population more and more so much that according to the latest data State, In 2024 23.1% were at risk of poverty or social exclusion (in 2023 it was 22.8%), that is, it is found in at least one of the following conditions: at risk of poverty, in severe material and social deprivation or at low intensity. And the heart of the problem is just in income. In 2023 the average income of families was 37,511 euros, in real terms -1.6%.
Reserved reproduction
