Italy has a population of approximately 59 million people in 2025, making it the 25th most populous country in the world and the fourth most populous in the European Union. Yet behind that large headline number lies one of the most striking demographic stories in the developed world: Italy's population is shrinking, aging, and reshaping the country's social and economic future.
How Many People Live in Italy?
With roughly 59,000,000 residents, Italy sits comfortably in the upper tier of the world's nations by population, ranking 25th globally. Within Europe it trails only Russia, Germany, and France. Those people are spread across a long, boot-shaped peninsula stretching into the Mediterranean Sea, plus the major islands of Sicily and Sardinia and dozens of smaller ones.
The average population density is about 196 people per square kilometre, but this figure conceals enormous regional variation. The northern industrial regions of Lombardy, Veneto, and Emilia-Romagna are densely settled and economically dynamic, while large stretches of the central Apennine mountains and the southern interior are sparsely populated and, in many villages, steadily emptying out.
A Population in Decline
Italy is one of a growing group of countries whose population is now falling year on year. The current annual growth rate is about -0.24%, which translates to a loss of roughly 140,000 people every year. The root cause is one of the lowest fertility rates in Europe: just 1.24 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed to keep a population stable without migration.
Perhaps the most telling statistic is this: Italy has recorded more deaths than births in every single year since 1993, a streak of more than three decades. Were it not for immigration, the decline would be far steeper. Projections suggest the population could fall from 59 million today to around 47 million by 2070 — a loss of roughly 12 million people, comparable to erasing a country the size of Belgium.
One of the World's Oldest Populations
Italy is aging faster than almost anywhere else on Earth. The median age stands at approximately 48 years, among the highest of any nation. In a demographic milestone that only a handful of countries have reached, Italy now has more residents over the age of 65 than under the age of 15 — a complete inversion of the traditional population pyramid.
This shift has profound consequences. A shrinking working-age population must support a growing number of retirees, putting sustained pressure on the pension system and healthcare services. It also helps explain why immigration has become so central to debates about Italy's future, as foreign-born workers increasingly fill gaps in the labour market.
Where Italians Live: The Largest Cities
Italy's population is concentrated in its historic cities, each with a distinct identity:
- Rome — the capital, with about 2.8 million residents and nearly 3,000 years of continuous history. It is the seat of the Italian government and surrounds the independent Vatican City.
- Milan — roughly 1.4 million city residents and over 3 million in its metropolitan area. As Italy's financial and fashion capital, it generates a disproportionate share of national wealth.
- Naples — about 920,000 residents and the largest city in southern Italy, one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world.
A notable feature of Italian demographics is the north-south divide. Southern regions such as Campania and Calabria tend to have higher birth rates than the wealthier north, yet they also suffer higher unemployment, driving many young people to migrate northward or abroad in search of work.
Language, Religion, and Diversity
The official language is Italian, spoken alongside a rich tapestry of regional dialects and protected minority languages, including German in South Tyrol and French in the Valle d'Aosta. About 80% of the population identifies as Roman Catholic, though regular church attendance has declined sharply in recent generations.
Immigrants make up roughly 8.7% of the population — close to 5 million foreign-born residents — with the largest communities originating from Romania, Albania, Morocco, and China. These newcomers have become an essential counterweight to natural population decline. For a broader look at the country's geography and society, see our italy country guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Italy in 2025?
Italy's population is approximately 59 million as of 2025. The figure is slowly declining, having peaked above 60 million in the mid-2010s before the long-running gap between deaths and births began pulling it downward.
Is Italy's population growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking. Italy loses about 140,000 people per year at a rate of around -0.24% annually, driven by a fertility rate of just 1.24 births per woman and over three decades of more deaths than births.
Why is Italy's population so old?
Decades of very low birth rates combined with high life expectancy have produced a median age of about 48. Italy now has more people over 65 than under 15, making it one of the oldest societies in the world.
What is the largest city in Italy by population?
Rome is the largest city, with roughly 2.8 million residents within its city limits. Milan follows, though Milan's wider metropolitan area is comparable in size and is the country's economic powerhouse.