Data shows that the number of Italians living in absolute poverty rose sharply in 2020 to its highest level for at least 15 years as the coronavirus crisis brought economic pain to much of the country.

Last year, about 5.6 million people, or 9.4 per cent of the population, lived in absolute poverty, defined as those unable to buy goods and services essential to achieve "a minimally acceptable standard of living", national statistics bureau ISTAT said.

It compared to 4.6m people, or 7.7pc of the population, in 2019, and was the worst reading since comparable records began in 2005, according to a Reuters report.

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