Dear Briatore, Let Me Explain How to Live on 1,500 a Month

Flavio Briatore’s Controversial Statement Sparks Debate on Living Costs

A recent statement by Flavio Briatore regarding the income needed for a family to live comfortably has stirred up a heated discussion.
According to the entrepreneur, it is impossible to live on €4,000 a month.
While acknowledging Briatore’s positive perspective on Italian incomes, many have challenged his assertion, noting that in Italy, many families manage to make ends meet with much less.

Comments flooded in on Instagram after a video surfaced featuring Briatore narrating this anecdote.
Some questioned how it would be possible to lower taxes if individuals like him (Italy’s wealthy) do not contribute more.
Others pointed out that €4,000 a month is more than enough to live comfortably, especially considering that many families get by on as little as €1,500 a month as a single income, or retirees surviving on €600 a month, and recent graduates making do with €800 a month in expensive cities, all crucial to the job market.

While Briatore’s intention may have been to highlight the challenges of living with limited funds in light of the cost of living, his comments have been met with criticism.
The disparity in perspective arises from the disconnect between Briatore’s reality, where sudden expenses are easily managed, and the everyday struggles of millions of Italians who can only dream of €4,000 a month.

Income Disparities Across Italy

Italy’s average income among its 42 million active taxpayers in 2024 is €23,650 gross annually, translating to just under €2,000 gross per month, or around €1,600 net.
This average varies significantly across regions, with Lombardy topping the list at €27,890 annually, followed by Trentino Alto Adige, Emilia-Romagna, and Lazio.
At the bottom of the list are Sicily (€18,620), Basilicata, and finally Calabria with an average income of €17,160 gross per year, equating to a monthly income below €1,500 gross.

While Briatore’s statement may reflect the average situation, extreme conditions of both hardship and advantage exist.
The critique lies in the source and context of the statement – as Briatore faces no difficulties in covering his housing expenses, groceries, indulgences, and unexpected costs.
In stark contrast, the cost of living in Italy has surged across the board, from groceries and bills to transportation and healthcare, from rent to property acquisition.

Today, the average rent for a three-bedroom apartment in the city center is around €1,300, while an apartment in the outskirts can cost up to €1,000 per month.
A loaf of bread? €2.
A dozen eggs? €3.

Challenges and Calls for Action

While calls for reducing taxes and increasing wages are warranted, questions linger about the implementation of a minimum wage or other initiatives like shorter workweeks, wealth tax, or poverty alleviation measures such as the Citizenship Income.
Where was Briatore during these discussions?

The reality for most families is a single income, as women are often relegated to part-time, seasonal, off-the-books roles, or pressured to exit the workforce to start a family – an ideologically regressive and demeaning response to demographic decline.
Coupled with the precarious and exploitative conditions faced by young entrants into the job market, the inability to effectively manage a country that is economically stable but stagnating becomes apparent.

Income Disparity and Poverty in Italy

Recent updates by Istat on calculating absolute poverty in Italy reflect a 3.9% rise in household spending in 2023 compared to 2022, outpacing stagnant wage growth.
In 2023, 8.5% of resident families were in absolute poverty, a slight increase from 8.3% in 2022, translating to 5.7 million individuals living in undignified conditions.

Geographically, Northern Italy saw nearly 136,000 more impoverished families in 2023, maintaining an 8% poverty rate.
Southern Italy’s figures, though stable, indicate higher levels with rates of 10.3% for families and 12.1% for individuals, showing a decline from 2022.

Despite the challenges posed by inflation and rising living costs, many Italians manage to survive on €4,000 a month.
However, the quality of life has deteriorated significantly, with a shift towards basic necessities over discretionary spending.

Following the backlash, many have urged Briatore to enter politics and act on his words – lowering taxes and increasing wages.
Given that average wages barely sustain families, and the lowest income brackets denote poverty for millions, including minors who view Briatore’s private jet as a mythical creature, the call for meaningful change resonates across the country.