Calabria's healthcare system is on the rise, as regional councilor Domenico Giannetta announced at the tenth Symposium on Pneumology in the Grecanic Area of Reggio Calabria. On April 4, 2025, the Ministry of Health confirmed that the region has surpassed the sufficiency threshold in both hospital and preventative care areas of the Livelli Essenziali di Assistenza (LEA). Giannetta expressed pride in this achievement, stating, "We are proud of the path we are taking. We will do everything to exceed sufficiency in the district area as well." He emphasized that while these results are encouraging, they are not enough, highlighting the need for continuous improvement in healthcare services.
Giannetta acknowledged the complexities faced by healthcare professionals in Calabria, particularly in light of the region's unique challenges. He pointed out that, under the leadership of Roberto Occhiuto, Calabrian healthcare is progressing steadily, and every step forward is crucial. He stated, "You doctors know the healthcare systems in your regions and live the complexities of the moment from within. In Calabria, the challenges are particularly heavy, but our regional healthcare is demonstrating that it has taken the right path."
In addition to healthcare improvements, Giannetta mentioned that the region is investing significantly in technological resources, including advanced robotics and innovation, as well as in university training. He highlighted the return of Franca Melfi, a leading expert in pulmonary robotics, who has chosen to teach in Calabria after performing groundbreaking robotic surgery. Giannetta described this as an important signal of recovery in credibility and trust, encouraging continued efforts to advance the region's healthcare system.
However, the positive news about healthcare contrasts sharply with the demographic challenges facing Calabria. According to recent data from Istat, the region experienced a 4.5% decrease in births in 2024 compared to the previous year, marking a troubling trend. The birth rate in Calabria was recorded at 6.9, while the mortality rate reached 11.3, resulting in a natural decrease of -4.4. In total, there were 12,700 births in Calabria in 2024, highlighting a significant demographic shift.
Professor Guido Giarelli, a sociologist at the University Magna Grecia of Catanzaro, commented on these alarming statistics, noting that Crotone, Reggio Calabria, and Vibo Valentia have the highest average number of children per woman in Italy. Despite this, the overall decline in births poses a serious threat to the region's social and economic fabric. Giarelli stated, "If no intervention is made, we will witness a continuous bleeding of services, from healthcare to social services." He pointed out that the most significant drops in births were seen in Cosenza (-6.9%), Reggio Calabria (-4.7%), and Catanzaro (-3.9%), while Crotone experienced a smaller decrease of -1.4%. Notably, Vibo Valentia was the only province to see an increase in births, rising by 0.8%.
The average number of children per woman in Calabria is now estimated at 1.25, down from 1.28 in 2022 and 2023. The average age of mothers in the region is 32.4 years, with Crotone being slightly lower at 31.4 years. The demographic landscape is further complicated by an aging population; as of January 1, 2025, Calabria's resident population is approximately 1.8 million, with 106,000 foreign nationals. This represents a negative variation of 3.5 per thousand, with 12.5% of residents aged 0-14, 63.1% between 15-64, and 24.4% over 65.
Calabria's life expectancy is also slightly below the national average, with men living an average of 80.1 years and women 84.7 years. The region faces a significant social dependency ratio, with a heavily unbalanced ratio of non-active to active working-age population. The demographic trends indicate a region that is increasingly aging, with a near doubling of the ratio between elderly and young people, raising concerns about the future workforce and economic vitality.
Giarelli warns that without innovative policies to create real job opportunities, particularly for the youth, the region's productivity will continue to decline. He notes that the emigration of educated young people, who leave in search of better opportunities, exacerbates the situation. "The ongoing emigration, particularly of the youth, will have an even greater impact on the demographic structure and economic fabric of the region," he stated.
In light of these challenges, the sociologist emphasized the urgent need for effective public policies that can reverse these trends. He pointed out that the lack of adequate childcare services and economic support measures forces many women to choose between work and motherhood, further weakening the labor market. The consequences of these demographic shifts will inevitably lead to a deterioration of essential services, including healthcare and social services, unless there is a concerted effort to improve investment and resource allocation.
As Calabria grapples with these pressing issues, the contrast between advancements in healthcare and declining birth rates underscores the complexity of the region's situation. While Giannetta's announcement of improvements in healthcare services offers a glimmer of hope, the demographic challenges present a stark reminder of the work that still needs to be done to secure a sustainable future for Calabria. Both the healthcare sector and the broader socio-economic landscape require innovative solutions and collaborative efforts to address the multifaceted challenges facing this historically rich yet struggling region.
