Age distribution of the population in Italy 2002-2021

In the past years, the share of people aged over 65 years grew constantly in Italy. In 2021, 23.4 percent of the Italian inhabitants were aged 65 years and older. Moreover, 63.8 percent were aged between 15 and 64 years and 12.8 percent of Italians were 14 years old and younger. In 2021, the Italian region with the highest proportion of kids up to 14 years old was Trentino-South Tyrol, with 14.7 percent. On the other hand, 28.7 percent of people in the region of Liguria were over 65 years, making it the region with the highest share of elderly people among its residents.

Causes of an ageing population

The growing proportion of old people in Italy is due to two main factors. First, the birth rate in the country decreased over the past years. In 2019, roughly seven children were born per 1,000 inhabitants, two fewer infants than in 2002. Second, life expectancy increased over the same period. A 65-year-old Italian woman could expect to have around 21 more years of life ahead in 2002, while by 2019 this number reached 22.5. The increase for men was even greater, with male life expectancy at 65 growing from around 17 years in 2002 to 19.3 years in 2019.

Future demographic trends

The ageing trend in Italian population is not expected to change in the next years. Projections made in 2019 predicted that the country's population was going to sensibly decrease in numbers. Population forecasts for 2050 accounted for slightly more than 54 million citizens, around six million fewer compared to 2020.