Geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and the consequent increase in oil and gas prices risk having immediate effects on the budgets of Italian families in terms of reducing consumption. This is what emerges from a new survey carried out by Eumetra, the social research institute, immediately after the attack on Iran by the United States and Israel, which analyzes how a possible increase in energy bills could influence the consumption behavior of Italians.
31% consider an increase difficult to sustain, 18% define it as very critical
According to the research, only a minority of the population believes they can absorb a 10-20% increase in energy and gas bills without particular difficulty, while for the majority of families the impact would be significant or even critical. «International tensions demonstrate once again how energy has become a central factor of economic and social stability», comments Matteo Lucchi, CEO of Eumetra. When asked how much a 10-20% increase in energy bills would impact the family budget: 12% consider it sustainable without difficulty; 39% consider it manageable but with sacrifices; 31% consider it difficult to sustain; 18% define it as very critical. Among those who plan to reduce consumption, the cuts would mainly concern: going out and free time: 71%; domestic energy consumption: 64%; clothing and accessories: 62%; travel and transport not strictly necessary: 49%; food expenses: 26%; health expenses (visits, check-ups, dentist): 24%. In this case, it is striking that almost one in four Italians declare that they could postpone medical visits, check-ups or dental treatments, a consequence that impacts sensitive areas of daily life, which in detail mainly concerns women, says Eumetra.