Italy’s Population Fell the Most in Over 100 Years in 2020

Italy’s population shrank in 2020 by the most in over 100 years, as measured by the number of births minus deaths, with the coronavirus pandemic amplifying a trend that’s been underway since 2007, according to a report released by Istat.

The number of deaths outnumbered births by 342 thousand, the most since 1918. The overall population fell by 384 thousand or 0.6% when compared to a year earlier. In 2020, Italy’s migratory balance became negative for the first time since 1987, with emigrants surpassing immigrants by 42 thousand.