Core Insights - Italy's population is projected to decline significantly over the coming decades, with a potential reduction of nearly one-fourth by 2080 [1] - The southern regions of Italy are expected to experience the most severe population loss [1] Population Projections - Current population is approximately 59 million, expected to decrease to 54.7 million by 2050 and further to 45.8 million by 2080, representing a reduction of about 22% from current levels [1] - The population has been experiencing natural decline for over 15 years, with immigration only partially alleviating the trend [1] Age Structure Changes - By 2050, the proportion of the population aged 65 and older is expected to rise from 24.3% to 34.6% [1] - The working-age population (ages 15 to 64) will decrease from 63.5% to 54.3%, while the proportion of those under 14 will slightly decline to 11.2% [1] Geographic Distribution of Population Change - The southern regions are projected to lose approximately 3.4 million people by 2050 and a cumulative loss of 7.9 million by 2080 due to youth outflow and economic challenges [1] - Northern regions may see slight growth until 2030, after which they are also expected to enter a decline phase [1]