Italy is starting to compete with Japan when it comes to the over-100s: their numbers in the country have tripled in 20 years. At the beginning of 2023, 22,000 women and men over the age of 100 lived in Italy. This makes the boot country one of the European countries with the oldest population.
Life expectancy at birth in Italy is 82.6 years, rising for men in 2022 and stable for women. For men, it is estimated at 80.5 years. However, survival rates in 2022 are still lower than pre-pandemic levels, and are six months shorter than 2019 for both men and women.
Nutrition, social contacts and exercise as the secret of success
Scientists are conducting research to unravel the mystery of longevity. According to experts, the number of people who have lived in Italy for at least a century will continue to grow. Above all, the condition of those who have reached old age in good health is monitored. A low-calorie diet, a close network of social relationships and sufficient exercise are factors that contribute to a long life.
A sharp fall in the birth rate is worrying
Despite its long-lived population, Italy has demographic problems. The sharp fall in the birth rate in recent years is causing problems in Austria’s southern neighbour. If development is not compensated by structural measures, the country will have five million fewer inhabitants in 2050 than today, the statistics agency Istat warned in its latest report on the demographic situation. Just over every second person would then be of working age. Italy currently has 59 million inhabitants.
Source: Krone
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