The data recently published by the Ministry of Economy and Finance (MEF) relating to the incomes of Italian municipalities for the year 2022 offer an interesting window into how the economic conditions of Romagna citizens are evolving. The numbers confirm some significant trends, but also pose some crucial questions about the future of the economic well-being of the Romagna area. According to the data, the average income of Romagna recorded an increase of 5.86% during 2022. An apparently positive signal, which however must be read in light of other factors. In fact, average inflation in 2022 was 8.1%, a rate that partially eroded the benefits of rising incomes.
In Emilia-Romagna, at provincial level, Bologna has the highest average income, with 25,729 euros, follows Parma with an average income of 25,366 euros, Modena 24,543 euros, Reggio Emilia 24,356 euros, Piacenza 23,654 euros, Ravenna 22,117 euros, Forlì-Cesena 21,566 euros, Ferrara 21,435 euros in the end Rimini has the lowest average income of 19,610 euros.
Examining the Romagna provinces individually, some key points emerge.
The province of Ravenna stands out as the one with the highest average income, reaching the figure of 22,117 euros. Followed by the province of Forlì-Cesena with 21,566 euros, and finally Rimini with 19,610 euros. However, all three provinces record an average income lower than the regional average of Emilia-Romagna, which in 2022 stood at 23,713 euros.
Looking at the municipalities, Cesena with €22,977 is confirmed as the municipality with the highest average income in the province of Forlì-Cesena, followed by Forlì itself with €22,799, Modigliana €22,697, Bertinoro €21,671 and Forlimpopoli €21,565. In the province of Ravenna, Lugo with €23,269 stands out with the highest average income, followed by Bagnara di Romagna with €23,193, Ravenna €22,627, Faenza €22,421, and Sant’Agata Sul Santerno with €22,421. While in the province of Rimini, it is the municipality of Montegridolfo that has the highest income of €21,019 in the province which is however significantly lower than that of the other large Romagna cities, followed by Rimini €20,259, Santarcangelo di Romagna €20,197, San Giovanni in Marignano €20,003, all remaining are under €20,000.
“Despite the increase in average income, a worrying underlying reality emerges: inflation has eroded some of these gains – declares the general secretary of CISL Romagna Francesco Marinelli -. The purchasing power of Romagna citizens has been compromised by the increase in living costs, putting a strain on families’ spending capacity”.
“The overall picture suggests the need for in-depth reflection on the economic and social policies to be adopted. Increasing incomes is important, but must be accompanied by measures that effectively protect citizens’ purchasing power. Targeted investments, support for families and policies to combat inflation could be some of the ways to go.”
“For us, an enhancement of the tax wedge for workers is essential in order to guarantee stability. It is essential to reduce the tax burden also for the middle class, lower taxes on pensions and intensify the fight against tax evasion and avoidance, which continues to constitute a significant burden, with almost 90 billion in lost revenue for the State.” .
“Rather than discussing preventive agreements”, Marinelli underlined“we must concentrate our energies on concrete actions to recover tax evasion and avoidance, bringing back fundamental resources both for investments and to reduce the tax burden on employees and pensioners, those who pay taxes every year down to the last cent”.
“Furthermore, it is urgent to resume discussions with the government to reform the pension and social security system, guaranteeing fairness, sustainability, flexibility and inclusiveness. We have outlined some priorities, including the establishment of a basic contributory pension for young people and women, the incentive to join supplementary social security and the strengthening of the social Ape. It is also essential to define flexibility measures in exiting the labor market. Reforms are needed to support development, increasing both public and private investments, improving productivity and encouraging worker participation in the management and profits of companies. Finally, a new Social Pact oriented towards the quality and stability of work is urgently needed. This pact should include an increase in wages and pensions through a significant reduction in taxes, as well as the immediate renewal of all contracts. In the end – concludes the CISL secretary -, the data on the incomes of Romagna people in 2022 offer food for thought on how to improve the economic well-being of Romagna. It is time to act with determination to ensure a safer and more prosperous future for all citizens of Romagna.”
