Expansion of the Legal Field's Economy Surged by 5.2% to Reach a Value of 15.5 Billion Dollars.
The legal landscape in 2025 Italy remains fragmented, with regions divided not just economically, but in numerous aspects. As shown by recent data, theprofession is showing signs of recovery, reaching a GDP of 15.5 billion euros, a 5.2% increase over the previous year, and an average individual income of 47,678 euros, exceeding inflation (+6.8%).
However, the overall picture is complex, revealing considerable disparities across income levels, territories, genders, and age groups.
The Income Gap
Delving into the incomes and business volumes of the 233,260 lawyers, gender disparities become apparent. Men typically earn 47,000 euros, reaching a peak of 62,456 euros after 35 years of seniority. However, female lawyers rarely surpass this figure, with the highest individual income of 38,652 euros achieved between the ages of 55 and 59. The gender pay gap remains substantial among liberal professions, with women earning only half of what men make – 31,115 euros compared to 62,456 euros.
Cassa Forense has aimed to address this issue by introducing welfare measures, such as contributions for childcare expenses, summer center attendance, and assistance to family members in need.
Significant gaps persist between income levels as well. An elite group, mostly associated with large business consulting firms, account for 29.5% of the GDP by generating over 4.6 billion in turnover, whereas 27% of registrants, with turnover ranging from 1 to 16,950 euros, contribute just 2.9% of the total turnover.
Although the legal profession in Italy still faces many challenges, ongoing government and professional initiatives strive to bridge these disparities and promote greater equality and opportunity within the field.
- In the realm of education-and-self-development, efforts could be made to provide financial assistance and resources for female lawyers, aiming to close the education gap and support their career advancement, mirroring the welfare measures introduced by Cassa Forense.
- To foster business growth and financial stability among a broader spectrum of lawyers, it would be beneficial to establish targeted financial programs and incentives, such as subsidies or grants, to help those with lower turnover levels compete and succeed in the market, thereby reducing the current income disparities apparent within the profession.
