Povertà e luoghi marginalizzati nell’ "estremo" italiano

The article provides an analysis of poverty in Calabria and its internal areas. Calabria represents Italy’s outer periphery, the region consistently ranking at the bottom of national and European classifications in terms of public capital endowment and economic and social indicators. It constitutes the lowest threshold for the enjoyment of citizenship rights and often amplifies the vulnerabilities typical of marginalized territories by «space-blind» policies. This study examines poverty in Calabria from both a macroeconomic perspective – through an analysis of recent Eurostat data on the incidence of poverty risk and social exclusion – and a microanalytical perspective, through secondary data and field survey evidence in four internal areas of Calabria. Among the various facets of poverty, particular attention is given to the lack of healthcare and educational services. These two dimensions are, in fact, fundamental to the classification of territories as internal and marginal within the framework of the National Strategy for Internal Areas. The multidimensional nature of poverty in Calabria and its most fragile areas highlights the urgent need for place-based and people-centered policies.