Marche region faces demographic decline and bank closures

A report from Istat reveals that the Marche region in Italy is experiencing a significant demographic shift, characterized by a shrinking population and an aging citizenry. The population has fallen below 1.5 million residents in 2024, down from 1.54 million in 2011. The region’s natural balance has been negative since the early 1980s, and it currently has 235 residents over the age of 65 for every 100 people under the age of 15, a rate higher than the national average.

Economic data shows the region's GDP per capita remains eight percentage points below the national average. While Marche has a strong manufacturing and artisanal foundation, its GDP in 2024 remains 7% below 2008 levels.

Compounding these demographic challenges is a sharp decline in banking services. Data from Ires Marche and Fisac Cgil indicates that Marche has lost more bank branches than any other Italian region over the last decade, with a 44.2% decrease since 2016. In the province of Pesaro and Urbino, 14 municipalities are now left without any staffed bank branches, creating significant difficulties for local businesses and elderly residents who rely on physical services.