Do royalties improve local socio-economic conditions? Evidence from municipalities in Basilicata

This study aims to analyze the economic impact of royalties on local territories, with particular focus on the shares allocated directly to municipalities where hydrocarbon deposits are located. Following an initial descriptive analysis of the royalties paid by oil companies to local authorities over the period 2008-2024, the study proceeds with non-parametric analyses conducted on a set of municipal-level variables. The objective is to assess whether significant socioeconomic differences exist between municipalities that receive royalties and those that do not. The data used originate from the "A misura di Comune" information system – ISTAT’s system of municipal indicators – as well as from official statistical sources such as Demographic Balances and the Population Census, and open data provided by the Ministry of Economy and Finance and the Ministry of the Environment and Energy Security.