Italy's population set to decline by 22% over next 70 years

Italy's future population projection reveals uncertainty, yet also reveals declining trends that appear to be irreversible.

The resident population, estimated at around 59 million in January 2023, is projected to fall to 58.6 million in 2030, 54.8 million in 2050 and 46.1 million in 2080, the country's official agency, ISTAT, published on Monday.

The ratio of the 15-64 age group to the 0-14 age group and the 65 and over age group changed, indicating an increase in the elderly population and a decrease in the young population, it reported.

The south of Italy is projected to experience a faster aging process with an average age of 51.5 years by 2050 (50.8 for Italy).

However, about one million families are projected to be formed in the next two decades foreseen to be more fragmented.

In addition, fewer than one in four families is predicted to be couples with children by 2043, and more than one in five families expected to have no children at all.