Overview
- Italy's child population has halved since 1982, with just over 7 million children as of January 2025, and is projected to decline by 29% by 2080, according to Istat data.
- The 2025 rankings for children's quality of life place Lecco, Siena, and Aosta at the top, showcasing strong performances in education, safety, and recreational services.
- Bolzano leads in elderly quality of life, excelling in social spending, low chronic illness rates, and life expectancy, with northern provinces dominating the rankings overall.
- Significant regional disparities persist, with southern provinces often struggling in key indicators related to family services, education, and pensions, despite some isolated successes like Nuoro and L'Aquila.
- The demographic challenges underscore the urgent need for targeted investments in healthcare, education, and social services to address Italy's aging society and declining child population.