Italy faces demographic challenges as elderly population grows

Italy is facing significant demographic shifts characterized by a growing elderly population and a declining birth rate. In the Abruzzo region, over 65s account for 25.5% of the population, exceeding the national average of 24.7%. The number of residents aged over 85 has increased to 55,746, representing 4.4% of the regional population. Economic data shows the average annual pension in Abruzzo is €18,625, which is €1,688 lower than the Italian national average.

Addressing these demographic changes, Monsignor Vincenzo Paglia has advocated for a welfare reform that prioritizes community-based care over institutionalization. He suggests that healthcare policy should focus on supporting seniors in their own homes and local communities rather than primarily increasing hospital or nursing home bed capacity. Paglia highlighted the Piedmont region's approach to prioritizing home care as a potential model for national policy to better integrate social and sanitary assistance.