The current economic situation in Italy is complex and uncertain. Recent statements by Andrea Brandolini, Deputy Head of the Economics and Statistics Department of the Bank of Italy, highlight how economic activity is struggling to recover. According to Brandolini, without a significant acceleration by the end of the year, it will be difficult to reach the growth targets set for the two-year period 2024-2025.
Another critical point concerns the healthcare sector. According to data provided by the Bank of Italy, the turnover of healthcare personnel and the expansion of territorial care envisaged by the PNRR will lead to a significant need for personnel. By the end of 2022, it is expected that 30% of doctors and 14% of nurses could retire from work in the next ten years. In particular, more than 27,000 doctors and over 24,000 nurses will leave the profession, with a growing demand for nurses and social-health workers.
Brandolini stressed that an effective fiscal maneuver could reduce tax expenditures without creating significant discontinuities in the collection. However, the current structure of tax deductions could compromise the fairness of the system.
The measure includes a new tax wedge cut that could benefit approximately 17.4 million workers by 2025. An estimated 2.4 million more people will receive an average annual bonus of 576 euros. However, approximately 500,000 individuals will lose current benefits due to changes in income requirements. In the context of public health, 7.6% of the population gave up on treatment in 2023, an increase from 6.3% in 2019. Long waiting lists are one of the main causes of these renunciations.
Looking ahead, the challenges for the Italian economy remain significant. The balance between economic sustainability and social well-being will be crucial to address emerging issues in the areas of health and employment. With measures planned in the PNRR and interventions in fiscal legislation, it is hoped that Italy can move towards a more robust and inclusive recovery in the coming years.
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