Francesco Maria Chelli, President of the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT), has highlighted a pressing demographic issue in Italy, noting the rapid increase in single-person households among the elderly.

Current statistics indicate that 10.8% of Italian families, approximately 2.8 million, are composed of individuals aged 75 and over, a figure expected to rise to 15% by 2043, affecting over 4.1 million households.

The report indicates that single-person households now make up 36.2% of all families in Italy, a significant increase from just 9% a century ago.

This trend is particularly concerning for the elderly, as Chelli points out that many of these older individuals live alone not by choice but due to circumstances such as widowhood or having children who are distant or incapable of providing care.

Chelli noted that among the over-75 demographic, approximately 73% are widowed, with women facing greater challenges due to their longer life expectancy.

He remarked on the implications of this shift: many elderly individuals require assistance that is often provided by their adult children, who are also aging.

To address these challenges, Chelli advocates for policies aimed at increasing birth rates and moderating immigration.

He describes this dual approach as crucial for revitalizing the workforce and stabilizing demographic trends in Italy.

An alarming trend has unfolded over the past decade, with an emigration of young Italians totaling 352,000, while only 104,000 have returned, contributing further to the country's demographic imbalance.

The latest estimates suggest that Italy's resident population has fallen below 59 million and could drop by as many as 13 million by 2080 if current trends continue.

While employment figures are rising, the aging workforce poses significant economic challenges.

Currently, over 10 million of Italy's 24.3 million workers are aged 50 and older.

The labor market reflects a decline in younger workers, with 2 million fewer under the age of 34 over the past two decades.

This demographic shift has led to increased consideration of potential adjustments to pension age, aligning it with life expectancy.

However, Chelli notes that not all jobs bear equal burdens, complicating any straightforward resolution.

Additionally, the country's economy is grappling with rising inequalities and stagnant purchasing power, despite recent improvements linked to renewed contracts.

The complexity of the situation demands nuanced policy interventions, particularly in light of the vulnerabilities faced by certain sectors relying heavily on exports, which were significantly affected by fluctuations in international trade dynamics, including tariffs imposed by the United States.

Chelli's remarks underscore the urgency for Italy to rethink its demographic policies amidst significant changes in its population structure and labor market, aiming to prevent the socio-economic pitfalls associated with an increasingly elderly population living in solitude.