Istat: By 2050 there will be more childless couples than those with children in Italy

According to projections from Istat, by 2050 there will be more childless couples in Italy than those with at least one child. Currently, there are about 7.5 million families with children, a number that is expected to drop to 5.8 million by 2050. This shift is projected to occur first in the northern regions, where childless couples will become more numerous as early as 2038.

The Istat report highlights a significant increase in childless families, which will grow by 8.8% in the period leading up to 2047. At the same time, an increase in single-parent households and a greater proportion of single fathers is expected.

Additionally, demographic estimates indicate that the Italian population is set to decline: by 2025, the number of residents is projected to be 58.9 million, decreasing to 55 million by 2050, and further to 45.8 million by 2080. This would result in a loss of over 13 million inhabitants.

Alessandro Rosina, a professor of Demography at the Università Cattolica di Milano, commented on these projections, emphasizing that Italy faces a generational challenge. He warned that if immediate action is not taken, the consequences could be devastating for the country's future.

The issue of declining birth rates is thus at the center of public debate, with experts warning of long-term consequences for families, health, and education in Italy.