Fondazione Cei Migrantes presents book on Italy's demographic changes

The Fondazione Cei Migrantes and the Istituto Toniolo presented a new book at the Italian Senate on Friday, October 9, regarding demographic shifts in Italy. The volume, titled "Stare nel mondo. Giovani e anziani dell’Italia longeva e multiculturale," was published by Il Mulino in collaboration with Istat.

The research describes an aging population, low birth rates, increased internal and international mobility, and more complex forms of cultural and territorial belonging. Data shows that while there were 52 elderly people for every 100 young people in the 1980s, that ratio now exceeds 140, reaching more than 157 elderly people per 100 young people aged 18 to 34 in some cases.

Elderly citizens represent 24.3% of the Italian population, while young people represent 17.5%. Since 2002, the youth population has decreased by 22.9%, with declines exceeding 32% in rural areas of the Mezzogiorno. Monsignor Felice of the Fondazione Migrantes called for a cultural change to overcome fears and prejudices.