In 2023, the annual population growth in Italy was -0.03 percent. Between 1961 and 2023, the figure dropped by 0.7 percentage points, though the decline followed an uneven course rather than a steady trajectory.

Projections estimate that the population in Italy will decrease in the following years. In January 2025, the Italian population added up to 59 million people, but in 2030 Italians will be 58 million individuals. Twenty years later, the population will be around 52 million people. Low birth rate and old population The birth rate in Italy has constantly dropped in the last years. In 2023, 6.4 children were born per 1,000 inhabitants, three babies less than in 2002. Nationwide, the highest number of births was registered in the southern regions, whereas central Italy had the lowest number of children born every 1,000 people. More specifically, the birth rate in the south stood at 7 infants, while in the center it was equal to 5.9 births. Consequently, the population in Italy has aged over the last decade. Between 2002 and 2024, the age distribution of the Italian population showed a growing share of people aged 65 years and older. As a result, the share of young people decreased. The European exception Similarly, the population in Europe is estimated to decrease in the coming years. In 2024, there were 740 million people living in Europe. In 2100, the figure is expected to drop to 586 million inhabitants. However, projections of the world population suggest that Europe might be the only continent experiencing a population decrease. For instance, the population in Africa could grow from 1.41 billion people in 2022 to 3.92 billion individuals in 2100, the fastest population growth worldwide.

Population growth (annual %) in Italy was reported at --0.01263 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Historical dataset showing Italy population growth rate by year from 1961 to 2023.

Graph and download economic data for Population Growth for Italy (SPPOPGROWITA) from 1961 to 2023 about Italy, population, and rate.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Italy population over the last 20 plus years. It lists the population for each year, along with the year on year change in population, as well as the change in percentage terms for each year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population change of Italy across the last two decades. For example, using this dataset, we can identify if the population is declining or increasing. If there is a change, when the population peaked, or if it is still growing and has not reached its peak. We can also compare the trend with the overall trend of United States population over the same period of time.

Key observations

In 2023, the population of Italy was 2,079, a 1.71% increase year-by-year from 2022. Previously, in 2022, Italy population was 2,044, an increase of 1.24% compared to a population of 2,019 in 2021. Over the last 20 plus years, between 2000 and 2023, population of Italy increased by 65. In this period, the peak population was 2,189 in the year 2009. The numbers suggest that the population has already reached its peak and is showing a trend of decline. Source: U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Content

When available, the data consists of estimates from the U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP).

Data Coverage:

• From 2000 to 2023

Variables / Data Columns

• Year: This column displays the data year (Measured annually and for years 2000 to 2023)
• Population: The population for the specific year for the Italy is shown in this column.
• Year on Year Change: This column displays the change in Italy population for each year compared to the previous year.
• Change in Percent: This column displays the year on year change as a percentage. Please note that the sum of all percentages may not equal one due to rounding of values.

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Recommended for further research

This dataset is a part of the main dataset for Italy Population by Year. You can refer the same here

Between 2002 and 2024, the natural increase was negative and steadily declined. Hence, the number of deaths exceeded the number of births. In 2020, the population increase stood at a negative rate of 5.6 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and settled around 5 in the following years. In 2023, 6.3 children were born per 1,000 inhabitants, three infants less than in 2002.

The total population in Italy was estimated at 58.9 million people in 2025, according to the latest census figures and projections from Trading Economics. This dataset provides the latest reported value for - Italy Population - plus previous releases, historical high and low, short-term forecast and long-term prediction, economic calendar, survey consensus and news.

Italy IT: Urban Population Growth data was reported at 0.107 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 0.050 % for 2016. Italy IT: Urban Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.492 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 2.836 % in 1960 and a record low of -0.024 % in 1986. Italy IT: Urban Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated using World Bank population estimates and urban ratios from the United Nations World Urbanization Prospects.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2014 Revision.; Weighted average;

At the beginning of the 19th century, the area of modern-day Italy, at the time a collection of various states and kingdoms, was estimated to have a population of nineteen million, a figure which would grow steadily throughout the century, and by the establishment of the Kingdom of Italy in 1861, the population would rise to just over 26 million.

Italy’s population would see its first major disruption during the First World War, as Italy would join the Allied Forces in their fight against Austria-Hungary and Germany. In the First World War, Italy’s population would largely stagnate at 36 million, only climbing again following the end of the war in 1920. While Italy would also play a prominent role in the Second World War, as the National Fascist Party-led country would fight alongside Germany against the Allies, Italian fatalities from the war would not represent a significant percentage of Italy’s population compared to other European countries in the conflict. As a result, Italy would exit the Second World War with a population of just over 45 million.

From this point onwards the Italian economy started to recover from the war, and eventually boomed, leading to increased employment and standards of living, which facilitated steady population growth until the mid-1980s, when falling fertility and birth rates would cause growth to largely cease. From this point onward, the Italian population would remain at just over 57 million, until the 2000s when it began growing again due to an influx of migrants, peaking in 2017 at just over 60 million people. In the late 2010s, however, the Italian population began declining again, as immigration slowed and the economy weakened. As a result, in 2020, Italy is estimated to have fallen to a population of 59 million.

Italy IT: Population: Growth data was reported at -0.126 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -0.170 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Growth data is updated yearly, averaging 0.295 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1.994 % in 1960 and a record low of -0.170 % in 2016. Italy IT: Population: Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.World Bank: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; Derived from total population. Population source: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision, (2) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (3) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (4) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Reprot (various years), (5) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database, and (6) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme.; Weighted average;

italy - Population Growth for Italy was -0.03422 % Chg. at Annual Rate in January of 2023, according to the United States Federal Reserve. Historically, italy - Population Growth for Italy reached a record high of -0.03422 in January of 2023 and a record low of -0.51560 in January of 2021. Trading Economics provides the current actual value, an historical data chart and related indicators for italy - Population Growth for Italy - last updated from the United States Federal Reserve on August of 2025.

About this dataset

Context

The dataset tabulates the Italy population by year. The dataset can be utilized to understand the population trend of Italy.

Content

The dataset constitues the following datasets

• Italy, TX Population Dataset: Yearly Figures, Population Change, and Percent Change Analysis

Good to know

Margin of Error

Data in the dataset are based on the estimates and are subject to sampling variability and thus a margin of error. Neilsberg Research recommends using caution when presening these estimates in your research.

Custom data

If you do need custom data for any of your research project, report or presentation, you can contact our research staff at research@neilsberg.com for a feasibility of a custom tabulation on a fee-for-service basis.

Inspiration

Neilsberg Research Team curates, analyze and publishes demographics and economic data from a variety of public and proprietary sources, each of which often includes multiple surveys and programs. The large majority of Neilsberg Research aggregated datasets and insights is made available for free download at https://www.neilsberg.com/research/.

Population, male (% of total population) in Italy was reported at 48.87 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Population, male (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Italy IT: Rural Population Growth data was reported at -1.089 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of -1.127 % for 2016. Italy IT: Rural Population Growth data is updated yearly, averaging -0.133 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 0.776 % in 1960 and a record low of -1.127 % in 2016. Italy IT: Rural Population Growth data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by World Bank. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.World Bank.WDI: Population and Urbanization Statistics. Rural population refers to people living in rural areas as defined by national statistical offices. It is calculated as the difference between total population and urban population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on the United Nations Population Division's World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;

0.0 (%) in 2024. Annual population growth rate for year t is the exponential rate of growth of midyear population from year t-1 to t, expressed as a percentage . Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship--except for refugees not permanently settled in the country of asylum, who are generally considered part of the population of the country of origin.

Population, female (% of total population) in Italy was reported at 51.13 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Population, female (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.

Population: Italy: Total data was reported at 59.258 Person mn in 2020. This records a decrease from the previous number of 59.641 Person mn for 2019. Population: Italy: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 52.331 Person mn from Dec 1911 (Median) to 2020, with 110 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60.796 Person mn in 2014 and a record low of 37.059 Person mn in 1911. Population: Italy: Total data remains active status in CEIC and is reported by Italian National Institute of Statistics. The data is categorized under Global Database’s Italy – Table IT.G002: Population: by Age.

Rural population growth (annual %) in Italy was reported at --1.1574 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Rural population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on August of 2025.

Urban population growth (annual %) in Italy was reported at 0.42961 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Urban population growth (annual %) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on July of 2025.