Average age of the population in Italy 2011-2021

In 2021, the average age of the population in Italy was 45.9 years. The average age of Italians constantly rose in the past years. For instance, in 2011 it was 43.6 years, steadily growing in the following years. Recent forecasts show that the median age is estimated to increase in the future as well. By 2050, the median age of the Italian population could reach 53.6 years.

Few births over the last years

  Italy has the highest share of elderly population in all of Europe. In 2019, 22.8 percent of the Italian inhabitants were aged 65 years and over. One of the main reasons for a high share of elderly among the population is the low number of births recorded in the last years. In fact, Italy counted in 2019 about 7.1 births every 100,000 people, the lowest figure recorded in the past years.

Longer lifespan

  In addition to a low birth rate, Italy is also among the countries with the highest life expectancy worldwide. In 2019, life expectancy at birth for Italian women was 85.3 years, whereas Italian men could expect to live up to 81 years. A longer life expectancy combined with fewer births explain why the average age of Italian inhabitants has been rising in the last years.