Italy’s population stabilized in 2025 after 12 years of decline, as immigration nearly offset the negative natural change, while life expectancy continued to rise.

Births hit a new low of 355,000 in 2025, down 3.9% from 2024, and deaths were about 652,000, resulting in a natural population decrease of roughly 297,000.

The resident population stood at about 58.94 million on January 1, 2026, essentially unchanged from the prior year.

Experts highlight Italy’s aging population and stress that immigration is crucial to maintaining the size of the working-age population and overall demography.

Analysts warn that persistently low birth rates and an aging population pose serious challenges to Italy’s economy and social welfare system.

The demographic dynamics unfold under Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni’s government, which has tightened policies on undocumented migrants while expanding work visas for non-EU citizens.

Meloni’s administration has increased work visas for non-EU citizens while maintaining a hard stance on undocumented migration.

ISTAT notes that without sustained migrant inflows, Italy’s population would resume shrinking, worsening pressures on the labor market and public finances.

Life expectancy continues to rise, averaging about 81.7 years for men and 85.7 years for women, keeping Italy among the EU’s longest-living countries.

The population aging is intensifying, with a record high of centenarians around 24,000, roughly 2,000 more than in 2024.

ISTAT cautions that only sustained positive net migration can offset negative natural change and keep the population from aging further.

Meloni’s government has framed reversing the birth-rate decline as an absolute priority, implementing family support measures and targeted tax breaks for working mothers.