La popolazione italiana negli anni novanta

The contribution gives an overview and analyses the demographic structures and changes of Italy in the nineties of the 20th century. One year, and even 10 years, influence only in a modest way the demographic structures and processes. The demographic growth of the population of Italy is the result of the immigration of foreigners, or, a negative natural balance and a net migration loss of the Italian population is opposing to a positive natural balance and net migration gains of the foreign population. The changes regarding family formation and dissolution, fertility and mortality are discussed. These processes led to an ageing of the total and the working age population. During the study period the family structures changed and the number of singles, especially elderly living alone, couples without children and single parent families increased. A specific chapter is dedicated to the geographic heterogeneity and convergence of the demographic structures and processes. The population trends of the nineties, even if they did not have important immediate effects, could in the long run lead to relevant changes in the structure and behaviour of Italy's population. The findings call for attention by society and policy, and appropriate responses in terms of welfare measures.