Intesa Sanpaolo launches the “Monitor for the Geography of Fragility and Inequalities”, a new research project designed to observe the Italian territories with a broader lens than traditional economic indicators. The initiative arises from collaboration between Intesa Sanpaolo for Social, the structure of the Bank led by Carlo Messina dedicated to programs against inequalities and in favor of social inclusion, Aiccon Research Center, the research center of Intesa Sanpaolo SRM – Studies and Research for Southern Italy and the Research Department of Intesa Sanpaolo.
Le fragility They are no longer measured solely by income. Employment, demographics, the quality of services, access to healthcare, education, social inclusion, the environment, and the productive structure all play a role. For this reason, the Monitor analyzes Italian provinces using approximately 150 indicators, organized into 11 domains and 37 dimensions, with the aim of capturing the complexity of territorial and social disparities.
More complex inequalities, more targeted responses
The project aims to transform analysis into an operational tool, useful for guiding interventions and strategies. "The Monitor confirms that inequalities are complex and non-linear phenomena, capable of manifesting themselves differently from region to region. From this perspective, Intesa Sanpaolo, with its ability to combine the economic and social dimensions, intends to play an enabling role in developing targeted responses to the real needs of communities and individuals. The Monitor's analyses will be useful for guiding the Bank's actions. With an evolving and open vocation, Intesa Sanpaolo makes it available to institutions, businesses, and social actors in the third sector to help create social value and foster an increasingly significant impact," commented Paul Bonassi, Chief Social Impact Officer of Intesa Sanpaolo.
The key to understanding this is the impact on people, identified as the main factor amplifying inequalities. It's not enough to simply observe where the economy is growing: we need to understand whether that growth is truly translating into well-being, inclusion, access to services, and participation.
Human capital, labor, and services: the crux of development
The 2026 evidence indicates the human capital as one of the main drivers of regional growth. Where jobs, businesses, incomes, and services move together, virtuous cycles are created that strengthen development and cohesion. The picture changes when these elements move out of alignment.
La youth unemployment High levels of unemployment are associated with lower democratic participation, while areas with a higher proportion of young NEETs are less attractive and less dynamic economically and socially. The relationship between employment and well-being is also less automatic than one might think. In areas with low population density and an older population, the presence of employment alone is not enough to improve the quality of life.
To weigh are the territorial dispersion, difficulty accessing services, and lower levels of prevention. In more structured contexts, however, the combination of employment, health services, prevention, and demographic dynamics can strengthen overall well-being. The study also notes that legality and security do not automatically advance alongside economic development.
A less predictable geography of Italian divides
The Monitor confirms the gap between North and South, but it portrays a more nuanced Italy than the traditional territorial divide. Alongside known weaknesses, positive data emerge even in peripheral or depressed areas, while significant vulnerabilities are evident in provinces considered economically stronger. Development trajectories, therefore, are not static: targeted interventions can reduce disparities and alter local balances.
Among the most innovative aspects of the study is the reading “by differential”, which compares local needs with available resources. This approach highlights imbalances between supply and demand for services in key sectors: healthcare, childcare, educational inclusion, and care for the elderly.
I health systems They are not always aligned with the needs of local communities. The lack of childcare services can hinder female employment. Social welfare provision for the elderly appears insufficient in many contexts. This is where a more complex and less predictable "geography of fragility" emerges, affecting even areas traditionally considered virtuous.
