You’d think “What’s Italy’s population?” would be the easiest question in the world. A single number. Job done. Next.

But try asking it in a room full of statisticians and watch the smiles tighten.

Because population isn’t one neat thing. It changes every day. It depends on whether you mean residents on the registry, people physically in the country, citizens, or everyone, including temporary movers. And in Italy, right now, the gap between “looks steady” and “is changing fast underneath” is the whole story.

So yes, I’m going to answer what is the current population of italy properly. With the number you came for, plus the small but important catches that stop it from turning into nonsense.

The Current Number You’re Looking For

As of Friday, January 30, 2026, Worldometer’s live estimate put Italy at 59,031,012 people.

That’s the closest thing you’ll get to a “right now” figure that updates daily in public view. It’s a live tracker built from United Nations demographic data, then updated as a running estimate.

But here’s the thing. A live estimate isn’t the same as an official headcount. It’s like checking your bank balance while a card payment is still pending. It’s useful, it’s directionally right, and it changes as the clock ticks.

For the most recent official baseline, Italy’s national statistics agency, ISTAT, reported the resident population at 58.934 million on January 1, 2025 (provisional figure).

So if you want the simple answer: Italy is sitting at roughly 59 million people right now, depending on which “clock” you use.

Why The Same Country Has Two “True” Numbers

Now, why don’t the two figures match perfectly?

Because they measure slightly different things.

ISTAT’s figure is tied to the resident population recorded in municipal registries, updated through births, deaths, and changes of residence. That’s the official administrative backbone.

Worldometer’s figure is an estimate designed to represent the population on a specific day, using UN data as the base and then modeling change across the year.

Neither is “lying.” They’re answering slightly different versions of your question.

If you’re writing a school report or a quick explainer, “about 59 million” is fair. If you’re working on policy, services, pensions, or anything where definitions matter, you use the official resident population baseline and the method behind it.

The Quiet Plot Twist: Italy’s “Demographic Winter”

Here’s where things get actually interesting—and a bit bleak. It’s not like Italy’s population is just falling off a cliff overnight; it’s more of a “demographic winter” that’s turned into a deep freeze over the last year.

Back in 2024, the numbers were already grim: only 369,944 births. That was a record low, the worst since the country first unified in 1861. But if you look at the provisional 2025 data circulating this January, the situation is actually sliding further. Births for the first seven months of last year took another 6.3% dive compared to that same window in 2024.

What does that actually mean? It means when the official 2025 tally drops later this year, we’re likely looking at a staggering new floor—somewhere around 360,000 babies.

ISTAT also recently flagged that the fertility rate for the first half of 2025 hit a rock-bottom 1.13 children per woman. When you consider that 2.1 is the “magic number” just to keep a population from shrinking, you realize just how far off the pace Italy really is.

What Keeps The Headline Number From Dropping Faster

Migration is the counterweight. ISTAT’s reporting shows that while the “natural balance” (the difference between births and deaths) is deeply negative, foreign residents and citizenship acquisitions are the only things keeping the total population from a sharp cliff-dive.

As of January 2026, there are over 5.4 million foreign residents in Italy, making up roughly 9.2% of the population. This newcomer mobility slows the total decline, but it’s a “sticking plaster” rather than a cure—it doesn’t solve the aging issue, as Italy’s median age has now reached a historic 48.6 years.

And there’s another wrinkle: emigration. ISTAT has flagged a significant rise in people leaving Italy. In the two-year period of 2023–2024, expatriations of Italian citizens jumped by nearly 40%. Reuters recently framed this as a “brain drain,” with younger, skilled workers looking toward Northern Europe and North America for better wages.

So you’ve got this intense push and pull going on at once:

• The Push: Record-low births and young Italians moving abroad.
• The Pull: New arrivals and longer life expectancy for the elderly.

The total can hover around 59 million for now, but the internal balance is shifting toward an older, more diverse, and more mobile society every single day.

A Quick Snapshot Of The Main Figures

Here’s a clean view of what we can say with confidence, using the latest public numbers.

Honest Take about the population of Italy​

Honestly, looking for the “current population” is a bit like weighing a loaf of bread while it’s still in the oven. You can estimate, and you can grab a snapshot in time, but the reality is that the system is constantly moving.

Italy’s headline number might still sit comfortably around 59 million today, but the real story—the one that matters—is what’s churning underneath that figure. It’s a story of fewer cribs and more canes. It’s about the growing pressure on a shrinking workforce and a total reliance on migration just to keep the lights on in local communities.

So, by all means, quote the 59 million. You should. But don’t pretend it’s the full picture. If you had to put money on it, would you bet on that “big round number” staying steady? Or would you bet on the fact that Italy’s soul is changing much faster than most people are willing to notice?

You can estimate. You can measure at a point in time. But it’s changing because the system is alive.

Italy’s headline population sits around 59 million today. But the more important story is what’s happening inside that number.

Fewer babies. More older people. More pressure on working-age groups. More reliance on migration and mobility to keep communities and services running.

So yeah, you can quote the number. You should. Just don’t pretend it’s the whole truth.

If you had to bet, would you rather bet on the “big round number” staying steady or on the makeup of Italy changing faster than most people notice?

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the population of Italy​ actually shrinking right now?

Technically, yes. While the total number hovers near 59 million due to migration, the “natural balance” is in the red because deaths are significantly outpacing births. It’s a slow-motion decline that is being masked by people moving into the country.

What is the current fertility rate in Italy for 2026?

As of the latest reports this January, the fertility rate has dipped to a staggering 1.13 children per woman. This is a record low that puts Italy far below the replacement level of 2.1 needed for a stable population.

How many babies were born in Italy last year?

Provisional data suggests that 2025 births hit a new historical floor of roughly 360,000. This follows the 2024 low of 369,944, showing that the “demographic winter” is only getting colder each year.

How does migration impact Italy’s total population?

It’s basically the only thing keeping the lights on. With over 5.4 million foreign residents, migration acts as a counterweight that prevents the total population count from collapsing as the native birth rate falls.

What is the median age in Italy today?

Italy’s median age has climbed to 48.6 years in 2026. This makes it one of the oldest societies on the planet, creating massive pressure on the healthcare system and the shrinking workforce.

Sources & References

• Worldometer (Live Tracking): Italy Population (Live) – Provides the real-time daily demographic estimate for 2026 based on UN data.
• ISTAT (Official National Statistics): Demographic Indicators & Birth Rates – The primary source for Italy’s official resident registry and the record-low fertility stats (1.13).
• Reuters / Investing.com (Economic Context): Italy’s Demographic Time Bomb & Brain Drain – Report on the 2026 warnings from the Bank of Italy regarding the workforce and emigration.
• DD News / Reuters Archive: Italy’s Births Sink to New Historical Lows – Analysis of the 6.3% dive in births seen in the 2025-2026 window.