Italy’s network of grandparents provides an estimated €45 billion in annual support to families, effectively filling gaps in state-provided childcare and eldercare, according to a report released in October 2025 by Nonni d’Italia. The figure underscores the critical, and often uncompensated, role grandparents play in Italian society.
Approximately one-third of Italy’s 12 million grandparents regularly provide care for their grandchildren, benefiting 3.7 million families, the report states. This support encompasses childcare, transportation to and from school and extracurricular activities, meal preparation, and general expenses.
The economic value of this intergenerational support comes as Italy grapples with demographic challenges and strains on its social safety net. While the assistance eases the financial burden on families, concerns are growing about the potential impact on grandparents’ well-being and the substitution of public services with familial obligations.
The Festa dei Nonni, or Grandparents’ Day, is celebrated annually in Italy on October 2nd, formalized by law in 2005. The day acknowledges the social influence and importance of grandparents, though the celebration is not universally observed on the same date worldwide. Pope Francis has also established the World Day for Grandparents and the Elderly, observed on the fourth Sunday of July.
The reliance on grandparents for childcare also raises questions about the broader welfare system and the support available to families. While the economic contribution is substantial, the arrangement can place significant demands on grandparents, potentially impacting their health and freedom.
The role of grandparents in maintaining cultural identity within Italian families abroad is also significant, facilitating the transmission of traditions and language to second-generation Italian descendants.
