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The population in Italy is aging faster than other countries in the EU

The population in Italy is aging faster than other countries in the EU

Italy is aging at a significantly faster rate than other EU countries, with the country's population falling below 59 million, national statistics agency Istat said on Monday.

Such a significant drop in population is a major concern for a country like Italy, which has been plagued by slow economic growth for decades. This results in less productivity and innovation, as well as higher welfare bills.

"As of January 1, 2022 according to the first preliminary data, the (resident) population has fallen to 58.983 million," Istat president Giancarlo Blangiardo told a parliamentary session in Rome.

Blangiardo, a prominent demographer, claimed that the national population has been steadily shrinking in recent years, with a loss of more than 1.36 million residents since 2014.

In September, Istat predicted that the country's population could shrink by a fifth, possibly falling to 54.2 million in 2050 and 47.7 million in 2070.

"Italy is destined to disappear," Meloni said in an interview earlier this year, pointing to trends reported by Istat. "We need a grand plan, even from a cultural perspective, to rediscover the beauty of parenthood."