Italy’s population aged further in 2023, with nearly six people over 64 for every child under six, according to a report by the national statistics agency, Istat.
The precise ratio was 5.8 elderly people for every small child, up from 5.6 in 2022 and 3.8 in 2011.
The average age of Italy’s population rose to 46.6 years in 2023, marking a 0.2% increase from the previous year. Women had an average age of 48, compared to 45.2 for men. Campania remained the country’s youngest region, with an average age of 44.2 years.
The proportion of the population aged under 15 fell slightly from 12.4% to 12.2%, while those aged 65 or older rose from 24% to 24.3%. The 15-64 age group remained stable at 63.5%.
Life expectancy also saw a slight increase. Men born in 2023 can expect to live 81 years, up five months from 2022, while women’s life expectancy rose by four months to 85.1 years.
Birthrate continues to decline
Italy’s birthrate continued its decline in 2023, with 379,000 resident births recorded, or 6.4 per thousand people, according to provisional data from ISTAT’s latest demographic report released on Friday.
This represents 14,000 fewer births than in 2022, marking a 3.6% drop. The birthrate has decreased from 6.7 births per thousand people, ISTAT noted.
The statistics institute also revealed that Italy’s births have fallen by 34.3% since 2008, the last year that saw an increase. Additionally, the average number of children per woman dropped from 1.24 in 2022 to 1.20 in 2023. The historical low remains 1.19 children per woman, recorded in 1995.
Istat reported Italy’s total population stood at 58,971,230 at the end of 2023, a decrease of 25,971 compared to the previous year.
