Age distribution of the population in Italy 2002-2024

In the past years, the share of people aged over 65 years grew constantly in Italy. Estimates for 2024 report that 24.3 percent of the Italian inhabitants are aged 65 years and older. Moreover, 63.5 percent of the residents are predicted to be aged between 15 and 64 years and only 12.2 percent to be 14 years old and younger. In 2023, the Italian region with the highest proportion of kids up to 14 years old was Trentino-South Tyrol, with 14.4 percent. On the other hand, 28.9 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 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 2023, less than 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 almost 21 more years of life ahead in 2002, while by 2023 this number reached 22.4. The increase for men was even greater, with male life expectancy at 65 growing from around 17 years in 2002 to 19.5 years in 2023. 

Future demographic trends

The aging trend in the Italian population is not expected to change in the upcoming years. Projections made in 2022 predicted that the country's population is going to sensibly decrease in numbers. Population forecasts for 2050 account for slightly more than 52 million citizens, around seven million fewer compared to 2020.