Quick facts
Italy population overview
Italy is the 5th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 59,042,739 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of -0.4% the live estimate on this page falls by roughly 630 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 377,874 births (6.4 per 1,000 people) and 673,087 deaths (11.4 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 59,043 people. The infant mortality rate is 2.1 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 50,199,700 in 1960 to 58,915,656 in 2025 — a change of +17.4%, or +0.2% per year on average. It peaked at 60,320,707 in 2014 and has declined 2.4% since.
Demographically, the median age is 48.6 years; life expectancy at birth is 84.2 years; women have on average 1.2 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 11.7% of residents are under 15 and 25.1% are 65 or older (2025); 69.7% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Rome. Italy covers 302,070 km², giving a population density of about 195 people per km². GDP was $2.55T in 2025 — about $43,309 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
Italy population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 58,859,107 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 59,042,739 |
| World rank | #25 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #5 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.7% |
| Annual growth rate | -0.4% |
| Births per year est. | 377,874 |
| Deaths per year est. | 673,087 |
| Net migration per year est. | +59,043 |
| Birth rate | 6.4 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 11.4 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 2.1 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 95.9 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 48.6 years |
| Life expectancy | 84.2 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.2 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 69.7% |
| Surface area 2023 | 302,070 km² |
| Population density | 195 per km² |
| Capital | Rome |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $2.55T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $43,309 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
Italy population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 58,859,107 | – | – |
| 2025 | 58,915,656 | -37,048 | -0.1% |
| 2024 | 58,952,704 | -31,512 | -0.1% |
| 2023 | 58,984,216 | -29,451 | 0% |
| 2022 | 59,013,667 | -119,506 | -0.2% |
| 2021 | 59,133,173 | -305,678 | -0.5% |
| 2020 | 59,438,851 | -790,754 | -0.3% |
| 2015 | 60,229,605 | +410,198 | +0.1% |
| 2010 | 59,819,407 | +1,652,725 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 58,166,682 | +1,224,574 | +0.4% |
| 2000 | 56,942,108 | +97,805 | +0% |
| 1995 | 56,844,303 | +125,063 | +0% |
| 1990 | 56,719,240 | +126,169 | +0% |
| 1985 | 56,593,071 | +159,188 | +0.1% |
| 1980 | 56,433,883 | +992,882 | +0.4% |
| 1975 | 55,441,001 | +1,619,151 | +0.6% |
| 1970 | 53,821,850 | +1,709,500 | +0.6% |
| 1965 | 52,112,350 | +1,912,650 | +0.8% |
| 1960 | 50,199,700 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About Italy
Population over time
- From 50,199,700 in 1960 to 58,859,107 today — up 17.2%.
- Population peaked at 60,320,707 in 2014 and is down 2.4% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: -0.2% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 84 years (2024), up 14.8 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.2 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 6.3 births vs 11 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Deaths outnumber births — natural decrease of 4.7 per 1,000 a year.
Age structure
- 11.7% of the population is under 15 and 25.1% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 9.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 299.2 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 493.1 Mt in 2005 — down 39.3% since.
- Per person: 5.08 t in 2024, vs 5.85 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 2,231.2 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 13.7% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 17.5% of final energy in 2021 (+13.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 32.9% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 25.8% to 32.9% since 1990 — roughly 21,413 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 69.7% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 59.3% in 1960 (+10.4 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 18.5% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 3,093 m³ in 2022, down 14.4% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $2.55T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 38.3% since 2015.
- That works out to $43,309 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 6.4% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 1.5% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 89.2% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 132.6 per 100 people (2024) — more subscriptions than people.
Italy in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Italy in 2026?
As of October 2026, Italy has an estimated population of 58,859,107. The United Nations estimated 59,042,739 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the -0.4% annual growth rate.
Is the population of Italy growing or shrinking?
It is shrinking at -0.4% per year — roughly 630 fewer people every day. Each year there are about 377,874 births and 673,087 deaths, with net migration of +59,043.
What is the population density of Italy?
About 195 people per square kilometre: 58,859,107 people living on 302,070 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in Italy?
The median age is 48.6 years, and life expectancy at birth is 84.2 years. 11.7% of the population is under 15 and 25.1% is 65 or older (2025).
How does Italy rank by population?
Italy is the 25th most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 5th in Europe, with 0.7% of the global population.
How has the population of Italy changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 50,199,700; by 2025 it had grown to 58,915,656 (+17.4%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
Explore more
Russia
Germany
United Kingdom
France
Kenya
Myanmar
Colombia
South AfricaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (-0.4%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.