Italy: ‘citizens’ income’ helps combat poverty, but is not really effective in reintegrating the beneficiaries into the world of work

Almost a year after the introduction of a flagship measure in the first Conte government (c.f. articles No.10970 and No.11586), the Citizens’ Income has produced very mixed results as far as its ‘active policy’ component is concerned. As of 01 March 2020, (latest available data), 65,302 beneficiaries had found a job, i.e. around 20% of those who had signed up to a ‘pact’ with Anpal, the public employment agency, to embark on a personalized training or work support programme. According to Anpal’s 30 April press release, 61.8% of jobs found were on fixed-term contracts and 18.3% on permanent contracts (which also include apprenticeships). The figures remain extremely modest when compared with all citizens’ income beneficiaries i.e. just over 900,000 as of March 2020. When viewed this way the scheme has secured the integration or re-integration into the world of work of just roughly 7% of those receiving this allowance. However, positive results are evident for those holding only a secondary level education certificate. This cohort accounts for 67% of citizens’ income beneficiaries and roughly 50% of these recipients secure an employment contract after signing up to the pact.