Italy’s Population Forecast to Shrink by More Than 13 Million by 2080

Italy’s population is expected to drop to 45.8 million by 2080, more than 13 million below its level at the start of 2025, according to new projections from the national statistics institute Istat.

The forecast points to both demographic decline and ageing. Italy had 58.9 million residents on Jan. 1, 2025. That figure is projected to fall to 55 million by 2050 before reaching 45.8 million three decades later.

Household patterns are also expected to change. The number of couples with children is forecast to decline from 7.5 million in 2025, or 28.1% of all households, to 5.8 million in 2050. Their share would fall to 21.1%.

By contrast, the number of couples without children is projected to rise from 5.4 million in 2025 to 5.9 million in 2050, an increase of 8.8%. Their share of all households is expected to reach 21.4%, putting them ahead of couples with children.