Italy’s aging population is turning healthy longevity into a national social and health-care priority. On January 1, 2026, 14.8 million Italians were 65 or older, equal to 25.1% of the population. Another 2.5 million people were at least 85. Italy now has the highest share of older residents in the European Union, while its median age has reached 49.1 years, compared with 44.9 across the EU.
The numbers explain why the discussion is shifting from life expectancy to independence. Italian men had a life expectancy of 81.5 years in 2024, among the highest in Europe. Yet a longer lifespan does not automatically mean more years with mobility, cognitive health, social connection, or the ability to manage everyday life without help.
