The National Statistics Office in Italy has announced alarming figures regarding the country's demographic crisis, revealing a record low in the number of births and a significant increase in emigration for the year 2024. The report indicates that the number of births in Italy has reached a staggering low of 370,000, marking the sixth consecutive year of decline and the lowest figure since the unification of the country in 1861. This represents a 2.6% decrease from 2023 and a dramatic 35.8% drop compared to 2008, the last year when the number of births saw an increase.
In a concerning trend, deaths have exceeded births by about 281,000 in 2024, leading to a population decline of 37,000, bringing the total population to approximately 58.93 million. This continuous decline has been ongoing for the past decade, with the population shrinking by around 1.9 million since 2014. This figure is greater than the population of Milan, Italy's second-largest city, or the entire Calabria region in the south.
Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni has expressed her commitment to making this demographic issue a priority. However, despite her assurances and those of her predecessors, no effective measures have been implemented to reverse this troubling trend. The increasing number of emigrants, which reached 191,000 last year, has officially marked a rise of more than 20% compared to the previous year. This surge has been attributed in part to a new law that imposes fines on Italians living abroad who fail to officially register their status in their new country.
As of 2024, foreign nationals make up 9.2% of Italy's population, totaling approximately 5.4 million individuals, an increase of 3.2% year-on-year. Most of these individuals reside in northern Italy, further complicating the demographic landscape.
In another development, the Friuli Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy has taken steps to address the challenges surrounding unaccompanied foreign minors. In late March 2025, the regional council approved new standards aimed at organizing the reception of these vulnerable individuals more effectively. Security and Immigration Advisor Pierpaolo Roberti emphasized that the chaotic state of the current system has left local communities to fend for themselves, creating an imbalance as municipalities transfer their share of unaccompanied minors to Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Roberti's remarks highlight the urgency of the situation, stating, "The system has become very chaotic, as the local community faces its fate alone." He noted that this has resulted in a situation where the region is unable to adequately respond to the influx of minors, which he described as unfair. The new measures are designed to restore order and ensure that the needs of both the minors and local residents are met.
The new standards are based on three key principles. The first principle aims to consider regional requirements, preventing other local administrations from unfairly transferring unaccompanied minors to Friuli Venezia Giulia. The second principle focuses on population density, with Roberti stating, "We want to work in a way that allows us to avoid creating additional facilities for unaccompanied minors in areas of high population density, especially in provincial capitals, to prevent potential security issues that may arise from such a situation."
The third principle is concerned with the impact on local communities, ensuring that the establishment of facilities does not overwhelm small towns. Roberti explained that the region aims to open facilities that can accommodate around ten individuals, thus protecting the integrity of local neighborhoods.
The demographic crisis in Italy and the challenges of managing unaccompanied minors highlight the complexity of the issues facing the country today. With a declining birth rate and increasing emigration, the Italian government faces mounting pressure to address these concerns effectively. As the situation evolves, both local and national leaders will need to collaborate to find sustainable solutions that prioritize the well-being of their citizens and the integration of newcomers.
In summary, Italy's demographic crisis, underscored by a record low in births and a sharp rise in emigration, has prompted urgent calls for action from leaders at all levels. The recent measures taken by Friuli Venezia Giulia to manage the reception of unaccompanied minors reflect a growing recognition of the need for organized and equitable responses to these pressing challenges. As the country grapples with these issues, the future of its population and the integration of migrants remain critical topics for discussion and action.
