Table of Contents:
A country in demographic decline
Italy is facing an unprecedented demographic crisis, with a constantly decreasing birth rate. According to the 58th Censis Report, since 2000, the number of births has fallen by about 200,000 per year, marking a decline of 34.1% in fifteen years. This phenomenon is aggravated by the decrease in the female population of childbearing age, which has fallen by 2.3 million, or 16.6%.
The combination of these factors suggests that the birth rate process is destined to continue, creating a negative spiral for the country’s demographic future
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The consequences of a birth rate
One of the most worrying effects of the birth rate is the concentration of inheritances. The families of the ‘silent generation’ and the baby boom currently hold 58.3% of the net wealth of Italian families. This leads to a reduction in the number of heirs and, consequently, to a greater concentration of wealth. The prospect of receiving an inheritance could influence the life choices of young people, leading them to a lower propensity for entrepreneurial risk, as highlighted in the
report.
An increase in poverty
In parallel with the demographic crisis, Italy is facing an increase in poverty. Over the past twenty years, gross disposable income per capita has fallen by 7.0% in real terms. In addition, net wealth per capita has fallen by 5.5% over the last decade. These data show that 85.5% of Italians perceive an increasing difficulty in improving their social position. Poverty is not only an economic problem, but it also has significant social and psychological repercussions
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Youth emigration and an uncertain future
Another factor contributing to this crisis is youth emigration. In recent years, about 352,000 young people between 25 and 34 years old have left Italy, of whom more than 132,000 were graduates. This phenomenon not only further reduces the working population, but it also impoverishes the country of talents and skills. The brain drain represents a significant challenge for Italy’s economic and social future, making it even more difficult to reverse the trend of birth rate and poverty
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