Over-indebtedness is a widespread condition, often underestimated, that affects families and individuals in economic difficulty. It occurs when a person is no longer able to regularly meet their financial obligations, even though they want to honor them. To prevent over-indebtedness, it is first necessary to understand the phenomenon: where it originates, how it manifests itself, and which warning signs should not be ignored.
When debt becomes a problem
The causes of over-indebtedness are multiple. Often it starts with a personal economic crisis, such as job loss or illness, which makes it difficult to manage everyday expenses. According to the Rapporto Italia 2024 by Eurispes, only 28.3% of Italians are able to save, while 36.8% say they have to draw on their savings to make it to the end of the month. The expenses that weigh most heavily on Italian families are rent (45.5%), bills and utilities (33.1%), mortgage payments (32.1%), and medical expenses (28.3%). In many cases, difficulties worsen due to progressive indebtedness linked to previous loans, gambling, or, in the worst cases, usury. Data from the Finsight Observatory provide a clear profile: the average over-indebted person in Italy is a married man, around 50 years old, with an average debt of €28,000 and, on average, 2.5 active debt positions. In such cases, taking out a loan without the right knowledge to manage it can become dangerous. This is why it is essential to intervene in time, before debt becomes a problem that is hard to resolve.
The role of the third sector
Preventing over-indebtedness also means building a support network. The third sector, that is the set of non-profit organizations, foundations, and associations, plays a key role in identifying at-risk situations and offering concrete tools of assistance. In this perspective, the event “Easy Debt, Hard Life – The Trap Nobody Tells You About” was launched, promoted by the Museum of Saving in collaboration with UniTo, Fondazione La Scialuppa, Fondazione San Matteo, Fondazione Don Mario Operti, and the Regional Observatory on Usury and Over-Indebtedness. It is a moment of dialogue designed to define and initiate a training path for managing over-indebtedness. The goal of the project: to create an educational kit aimed at people in economic difficulty and at third-sector operators. A series of activities, made up of modules and meetings, to promote conscious debt management and provide concrete tools to face it.
Financial education as prevention
How can over-indebtedness be prevented? By teaching, first and foremost, how to manage money. Clear, simple, and accessible financial education programs can make a real difference, especially for those living in economically fragile situations. For this reason, the Museum of Saving will continue to work with local organizations to spread greater financial awareness and support those most in need.
To learn more about the Museum’s upcoming activities, visit the events section of the website.
June 24, 2025