Lo spopolamento nei comuni italiani: un fenomeno ancora rilevante

In European Countries, many territories experienced and are still experiencing a depopulation. The negative balance of births and deaths is combined with a negative net migration. At the same time, the decrease in births and increase in life expectancy caused the population ageing. Depopulation is strongly connected with population ageing. The aim of this work is to understand the relationship between depopulation and ageing population and the sustainability of a high level of two phenomena. We study these phenomena and their relationship in the Italian territories in the period 1951-2011. We analyse the most detailed administrative level, the municipalities. Census data are used. Correlation coefficient between depopulation and population ageing indicators are calculated in order to investigate the association between the two phenomena. A regression model is applied in order to understand if population ageing is determined by the population variations. Finally, the municipalities, which experienced continuing depopulation, are examined in depth. A strong depopulation has determined the high level of population ageing, but the recent population ageing has contributed to the ongoing depopulation, creating a vicious circle. Long-term depopulation and strong ageing population seem to be not sustainable in the near future.