News about Italy

The Bank of Italy expects Italy's GDP to grow 1% in 2026, up from its June forecast, before slowing to 0.7% in 2027 and 0.8% in 2028. The central bank says the outlook is highly uncertain: if crude oil prices spike again, growth could fall to zero this year and turn negative in the following two years. It also warns that GDP would drop by 0.3% in 2027 and 2028 if commodity prices and inflation rise sharply.

On October 16, high school and university students and teachers across Italy staged a nationwide day-long strike and march, inspired by French student protests and reacting to Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni's proposed education spending cuts. The students also protested a decree banning face coverings such as burqas and niqabs in class and a rule capping non-Italian-speaking students at 30% of class size. Students in eight other European countries are protesting crumbling schools, teacher shortages, military spending and Italy's arms supplies to Israel, demanding more funding and an end to the occupation and genocide in Gaza. Teachers and staff are calling for better job security and a 20 percent salary increase to keep up with inflation. The march ended mostly peacefully, with only three minors arrested.