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.
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Italy IT: Urban Population: % of Total Population data was reported at 70.144 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 69.855 % for 2016. Italy IT: Urban Population: % of Total Population data is updated yearly, averaging 66.816 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 70.144 % in 2017 and a record low of 59.361 % in 1960. Italy IT: Urban Population: % of Total Population 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. Urban population refers to people living in urban areas as defined by national statistical offices. The data are collected and smoothed by United Nations Population Division.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Urbanization Prospects: 2018 Revision.; Weighted average;
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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;
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Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male data was reported at 48.735 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 48.702 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male data is updated yearly, averaging 48.649 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 48.750 % in 1972 and a record low of 48.511 % in 1999. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male 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. Male population is the percentage of the population that is male. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;
In the past years, the share of people aged over 65 years grew constantly in Italy. Estimates for 2025 report that **** percent of the Italian inhabitants are aged 65 years and older. Moreover, **** percent of the residents are aged between 15 and 64 years and only **** percent are 14 years old and younger. In 2025, the Italian region with the highest share of kids up to 14 years old was Trentino-South Tyrol, with **** percent. On the other hand, **** percent of the people in Liguria were over 65 years, making it the region with the highest share of elderly among its residents. Causes of an aging population The growing share of old people in Italy is due to two main factors. First, the birth rate in the country decreased over the last years. In 2024, less than ***** children were born per 1,000 inhabitants, 2 fewer infants than in 2002. Second, life expectancy increased over the same period. A 65-year-old Italian woman could expect to have almost ** more years of life ahead in 2002, while by 2024 this number reached ****. The increase for men was even greater, with male life expectancy at 65 growing from around ** years in 2002 to **** years in 2024. Future demographic trends The aging trend in the Italian population is not expected to change in the upcoming years. Projections suggest that the country's population is going to sensibly decrease in numbers. Population forecasts for 2050 account for slightly less than ** million citizens, around * million fewer compared to 2020.
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Population ages 65 and above (% of total population) in Italy was reported at 24.62 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Population ages 65 and above (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.
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Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male Population data was reported at 7.678 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 7.908 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.921 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.351 % in 2008 and a record low of 4.963 % in 1960. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 40-44: % of Male Population 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. Male population between the ages 40 to 44 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;
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Rural population in Italy was reported at 16343847 in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Rural population - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.
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Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 14.271 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 14.374 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 18.136 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 26.343 % in 1960 and a record low of 14.271 % in 2017. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Male: Aged 0-14 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. Male population between the ages 0 to 14 as a percentage of the total male population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;
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Urban population (% of total population) in Italy was reported at 72.29 % in 2024, according to the World Bank collection of development indicators, compiled from officially recognized sources. Italy - Urban population (% of total) - actual values, historical data, forecasts and projections were sourced from the World Bank on October of 2025.
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Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 30-34: % of Male Population data was reported at 5.638 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.735 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 30-34: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 7.232 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.374 % in 1997 and a record low of 5.638 % in 2017. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 30-34: % of Male Population 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. Male population between the ages 30 to 34 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;
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Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data was reported at 23.021 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 22.709 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above data is updated yearly, averaging 14.296 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 23.021 % in 2017 and a record low of 9.495 % in 1960. Italy IT: Population: as % of Total: Aged 65 and Above 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. Population ages 65 and above as a percentage of the total population. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Weighted average;
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Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population data was reported at 8.183 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 8.110 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.344 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 8.183 % in 2017 and a record low of 4.338 % in 1970. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 50-54: % of Male Population 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. Male population between the ages 50 to 54 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;
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Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population data was reported at 4.977 % in 2017. This records an increase from the previous number of 4.781 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population data is updated yearly, averaging 3.451 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 4.977 % in 2017 and a record low of 2.371 % in 1963. Italy IT: Population: Male: Ages 70-74: % of Male Population 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. Male population between the ages 70 to 74 as a percentage of the total male population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;
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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;
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Italy IT: Net Migration data was reported at 264,145.000 Person in 2012. This records a decrease from the previous number of 1,006,308.000 Person for 2007. Italy IT: Net Migration data is updated yearly, averaging 164,927.000 Person from Dec 1962 (Median) to 2012, with 11 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 1,624,300.000 Person in 2002 and a record low of -231,781.000 Person in 1967. Italy IT: Net Migration 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. Net migration is the net total of migrants during the period, that is, the total number of immigrants less the annual number of emigrants, including both citizens and noncitizens. Data are five-year estimates.; ; United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;
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Italy IT: Population: Female: Ages 30-34: % of Female Population data was reported at 5.195 % in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 5.284 % for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Female: Ages 30-34: % of Female Population data is updated yearly, averaging 6.970 % from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 7.801 % in 1997 and a record low of 5.195 % in 2017. Italy IT: Population: Female: Ages 30-34: % of Female Population 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. Female population between the ages 30 to 34 as a percentage of the total female population.; ; World Bank staff estimates based on age/sex distributions of United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; ;
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Italy IT: Population: Male: Aged 0-14 data was reported at 4,211,333.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 4,244,255.000 Person for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Male: Aged 0-14 data is updated yearly, averaging 4,999,343.000 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 6,885,927.000 Person in 1974 and a record low of 4,158,983.000 Person in 2002. Italy IT: Population: Male: Aged 0-14 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. Male population between the ages 0 to 14. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;
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Italy IT: Population: Total data was reported at 60,551,416.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 60,627,498.000 Person for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Total data is updated yearly, averaging 56,650,534.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 60,789,140.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 50,199,700.000 Person in 1960. Italy IT: Population: Total 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. Total population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship. The values shown are midyear estimates.; ; (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.; Sum; Relevance to gender indicator: disaggregating the population composition by gender will help a country in projecting its demand for social services on a gender basis.
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Italy IT: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data was reported at 38,426,674.000 Person in 2017. This records a decrease from the previous number of 38,609,106.000 Person for 2016. Italy IT: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 data is updated yearly, averaging 38,377,072.500 Person from Dec 1960 (Median) to 2017, with 58 observations. The data reached an all-time high of 39,035,661.000 Person in 2014 and a record low of 32,846,230.000 Person in 1960. Italy IT: Population: Total: Aged 15-64 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. Total population between the ages 15 to 64. Population is based on the de facto definition of population, which counts all residents regardless of legal status or citizenship.; ; World Bank staff estimates using the World Bank's total population and age/sex distributions of the United Nations Population Division's World Population Prospects: 2017 Revision.; Sum;
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.