Catalina Espinosa
Research expert covering society, economy, and politics for Europe and the EU
Demographics of Italy - statistics & facts
Italy is facing a deep demographic crisis, being one of the countries with the lowest fertility rates in the world. The population has not grown naturally since 2006, and immigration has not offset the decline. Hence, the number of Italian residents has been decreasing since 2015, a trend that is expected to continue for decades. Marriage rates are falling, and single-person households have become the most popular family structure. Conversely, Italians enjoy one of the highest life expectancies globally. These factors contribute to an aging population, raising serious concerns about the long-term sustainability of the healthcare system and the labor market, as the working-age population shrinks and demand for public health services grows.
Without targeted policies to promote fertility and support family planning, Italy鈥檚 demographic decline will hardly be reversed.
General demographics
In 2025, Italy鈥檚 total resident population is 58.93 million, down by around 1.86 million people compared to 2019. Lombardy is the most populous region, accounting for about one-sixth of the whole population, ahead of Lazio and Campania. Indeed, Rome, Milan and Naples, the largest cities of Italy, are located in these three regions. However, forecasts predict a continued population decline, with projections estimating it will drop to around 50 million by 2050.Decreasing birth rates
One of the main drivers of the demographic crisis is the constant drop in births. Between 2010 and 2023, they declined from roughly 550,000 to 379,000 newborns. In 2024, Italy recorded its lowest birth rate since 2002, with three fewer births than the beginning of the century. However, regional differences persist. Southern regions maintain birth rates above the national average, while central Italy reports the lowest, coinciding with the highest share of residents aged 65 and older. Also, the demographic divide between north and south is evident from the average age of mothers at childbirth, with the south and the islands having the youngest mothers in the country.Long lifespan and aging population
Low birth rates accelerate population aging. The share of people aged up to 14 years has steadily declined since 2002, while the elderly population exceeds the young population by about ten percent. Hence, life expectancy in Italy surpasses 80 years both for women and men, supported by high living standards and universal healthcare access. Therefore, the average age of Italians is rising, with projections suggesting it could reach around 50 years by 2050. As the young population shrinks, fewer workers will enter the labor market, posing long-term challenges for economic growth.Family structure
Further relevant changes in population figures are evident in the marriage rate and family structures. Fewer people are getting married, and household size is decreasing. Hence, Italy now has fewer and smaller families than in the past. The number of single-person households is increasing, and families without a nucleus have become more common.Without targeted policies to promote fertility and support family planning, Italy鈥檚 demographic decline will hardly be reversed.
