Salerno schools face decline of 2,250 students due to low birth rates

The province of Salerno is experiencing a significant contraction in school enrollments driven by declining birth rates. According to ministerial information system data, between the 2024/25 and 2026/27 school years, nursery and primary schools are projected to lose a total of 2,250 students, representing a 3.58% decrease.

Nursery school enrollment is expected to drop by 5.76%, falling from 20,191 to 19,027 children. Primary school numbers are also declining, with a loss of 1,086 students. This trend is beginning to impact middle schools as well, which are projected to see a decrease of 582 students by the 2026/27 academic year.

The demographic shift is affecting both urban areas and rural inland regions like Cilento. In rural areas, the decline is forcing the consolidation of educational networks and the merging of school institutes to maintain local services. While some urban neighborhoods show varying levels of impact, the overall trend indicates a structural change in the regional educational landscape.