Second Survey on Financial Literacy and Digital Financial Skills among Small Businesses in Italy

8 September 2026

The results of the second edition of the Banca d'Italia survey on the financial literacy and digitalization of Italian micro-enterprises were published today. The survey, conducted in the first half of 2025 on a representative sample of 5,000 owners of micro-enterprises with up to nine employees, measured their understanding of basic financial concepts and their financial behaviour. It also collected information on the use of payment, financial and insurance products, the adoption of digital technologies, and the strategies used to address risks associated with climate change.

The average financial literacy score still has room for improvement (74 out of 100), although it has increased slightly compared with the 2021 survey, driven by progress in the components relating to financial behaviours and attitudes. However, challenges persist in the understanding of basic economic and financial concepts.

The score was higher among firms with greater turnover and among exporting businesses, while no significant differences emerged between men and women.

A better understanding of economic and financial concepts is associated with better financial behaviour. The propensity to adopt digital technologies is also positively associated with financial knowledge.

Finally, the survey highlights a positive association between the behavioural dimension of financial literacy and the adoption of strategies aimed at mitigating climate change risks, such as taking out insurance, investing in business safety measures, and relocating production activities.