IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v10y2018i4p1004-d138530.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Depopulation and the Aging Population: The Relationship in Italian Municipalities

Author

Listed:
  • Cecilia Reynaud

    (Department of Political Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

  • Sara Miccoli

    (Department of Political Sciences, Roma Tre University, 00146 Rome, Italy)

Abstract

In European countries, many territories have experienced and are still experiencing a depopulation, caused by a deficit of births relative to deaths, a negative net migration, or both. At the same time, many of these territories are also facing the population aging process, caused by a decrease in births and prolonged rise in longevity. Depopulation and the population aging processes are strongly connected. The aim of this work is to study the relationship between depopulation and the aging population and the sustainability of the two phenomena. We studied these phenomena in the Italian territories in the period of 1951–2011. The study was conducted by using the census data of the Italian municipalities. The correlation coefficient between depopulation and aging population indicators was calculated in order to investigate the relationship between the two phenomena. A regression model was applied in order to understand if population aging is linked to population variation. Finally, the municipalities, which experienced continuing depopulation, are examined in depth. Our results show that a strong depopulation trend contributed to subsequent levels of population aging, but recent population aging has also contributed to ongoing depopulation, creating a vicious circle. Long-term depopulation and continuing population aging does not seem to be sustainable in the near future.

Suggested Citation

  • Cecilia Reynaud & Sara Miccoli, 2018. "Depopulation and the Aging Population: The Relationship in Italian Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-12, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1004-:d:138530
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1004/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/10/4/1004/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Chris Wilson & Tomáš Sobotka & Lee Williamson & Paul Boyle, 2013. "Migration and Intergenerational Replacement in Europe," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 39(1), pages 131-157, March.
    2. David Coleman & Robert Rowthorn, 2011. "Who's Afraid of Population Decline? A Critical Examination of Its Consequences," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 37(Supplemen), pages 217-248, January.
    3. Michael Murphy, 2017. "Demographic Determinants of Population Aging in Europe since 1850," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 43(2), pages 257-283, June.
    4. Wolfgang Lutz & Warren Sanderson & Sergei Scherbov, 2008. "The coming acceleration of global population ageing," Nature, Nature, vol. 451(7179), pages 716-719, February.
    5. Robert Schoeni & Mary Ofstedal, 2010. "Key themes in research on the demography of aging," Demography, Springer;Population Association of America (PAA), vol. 47(1), pages 5-15, March.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Citations

    Citations are extracted by the CitEc Project, subscribe to its RSS feed for this item.
    as


    Cited by:

    1. Roberto Basile & Sara Basso & Sara Miccoli & Cecilia Reynaud, 2022. "Ageing population in Italy: a space-time analysis," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 76(2), pages 4-12, April-Jun.
    2. Nieves García-Casarejos & Luis Antonio Sáez-Pérez, 2020. "Internships for Higher Education Students to Promote the Local Sustainability of Rural Places," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-25, June.
    3. Iñigo Calvo-Sotomayor & Jon Paul Laka & Ricardo Aguado, 2019. "Workforce Ageing and Labour Productivity in Europe," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(20), pages 1-16, October.
    4. Shihong Zeng & Xinwei Zhang & Xiaowei Wang & Guowang Zeng, 2019. "Population Aging, Household Savings and Asset Prices: A Study Based on Urban Commercial Housing Prices," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(11), pages 1-21, June.
    5. Sara Miccoli & Alessia Naccarato & Cecilia Reynaud, 2021. "Territory and population: demographic trend of the metropolitan city of Rome," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 75(3), pages 137-148, July-Sept.
    6. Márton, Lőrinc, 2022. "Modeling and migration-based control of depopulation," Theoretical Population Biology, Elsevier, vol. 148(C), pages 86-94.
    7. Carlo Lallo & Marta Pasqualini & Cecilia Tomassini, 2022. "Trends in the Use of Home LTC Services in Large, Medium and Small Municipalities in Italy: Lessons for the Post-COVID-19 Reappraisal," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-12, October.
    8. Hsiao-Hsien Lin & Tzu-Yun Lin & Chun-Wei Hsu & Che-Hsiu Chen & Qi-Yuan Li & Po-Hsuan Wu, 2022. "Moderating Effects of Religious Tourism Activities on Environmental Risk, Leisure Satisfaction, Physical and Mental Health and Well-Being among the Elderly in the Context of COVID-19," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Simona Ballabio & Flavio Verrecchia & Alberto Vitalini, 2023. "Processes of marginalization: dynamics in Lombardy," RIEDS - Rivista Italiana di Economia, Demografia e Statistica - The Italian Journal of Economic, Demographic and Statistical Studies, SIEDS Societa' Italiana di Economia Demografia e Statistica, vol. 77(1), pages 4-12, January-M.
    10. Vedran Živanović & Marko Joksimović & Rajko Golić & Vladimir Malinić & Filip Krstić & Marko Sedlak & Aleksandar Kovjanić, 2022. "Depopulated and Abandoned Areas in Serbia in the 21st Century—From a Local to a National Problem," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(17), pages 1-20, August.
    11. Ricard Calvo-Palomares & Juli Antoni Aguado-Hernández & Enric Sigalat-Signes & Bernat Roig-Merino, 2023. "Evaluation of Territorial Capacity for Development: Population and Employment," Land, MDPI, vol. 12(9), pages 1-17, September.
    12. Bressan, Alessandro & Duarte Alonso, Abel & Thi Kim Vu, Oanh, 2023. "Business-community relations under COVID-19: A study of micro and small firms," Journal of Business Research, Elsevier, vol. 155(PA).
    13. Federico Benassi & Marica D'Elia & Francesca Petrei, 2021. "The “meso” dimension of territorial capital: Evidence from Italy," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 13(1), pages 159-175, February.
    14. Andrzej Hornowski & Andrzej Parzonko & Pavel Kotyza & Tomasz Kondraszuk & Piotr Bórawski & Luboš Smutka, 2020. "Factors Determining the Development of Small Farms in Central and Eastern Poland," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(12), pages 1-21, June.

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Ana Nieto Masot & José Luis Gurría Gascón, 2021. "Sustainable Rural Development: Strategies, Good Practices and Opportunities," Land, MDPI, vol. 10(4), pages 1-5, April.
    2. Katarzyna Maj-Waśniowska & Tomasz Jedynak, 2020. "The Issues and Challenges of Local Government Units in the Era of Population Ageing," Administrative Sciences, MDPI, vol. 10(2), pages 1-23, June.
    3. Raisa Țăruș & Ștefan Dezsi & Florin Pop, 2021. "Ageing Urban Population Prognostic between 2020 and 2050 in Transylvania Region (Romania)," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(17), pages 1-20, September.
    4. Ana Nieto Masot & Gema Cárdenas Alonso & Ángela Engelmo Moriche, 2020. "Design of a Development Index for Spanish Municipalities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(21), pages 1-22, October.
    5. Elizabeth T Cafiero-Fonseca & Andrew Stawasz & Sydney T Johnson & Reiko Sato & David E Bloom, 2017. "The full benefits of adult pneumococcal vaccination: A systematic review," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(10), pages 1-23, October.
    6. Yun-Sook Jung & Taejun Park & Eun-Kyong Kim & Seong-Hwa Jeong & Young-Eun Lee & Min-Jeong Cho & Keun-Bae Song & Youn-Hee Choi, 2022. "Influence of Chewing Ability on Elderly Adults’ Cognitive Functioning: The Mediating Effects of the Ability to Perform Daily Life Activities and Nutritional Status," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-11, January.
    7. Pilar García-Gómez & Sergi Jiménez-Martín & Judit Vall Castelló, 2014. "Financial Incentives, Health, and Retirement in Spain," NBER Chapters, in: Social Security Programs and Retirement Around the World: Disability Insurance Programs and Retirement, pages 455-495, National Bureau of Economic Research, Inc.
    8. Hugo Benítez-Silva & Eva Cárceles-Poveda & Selçuk Eren, 2011. "Effects of Legal and Unauthorized Immigration on the U.S. Social Security System," Working Papers wp250, University of Michigan, Michigan Retirement Research Center.
    9. Yixuan Liu & Liumeng Li & Guomei Miao & Xinyan Yang & Yinghui Wu & Yanling Xu & Yonghong Gao & Yongzhi Zhan & Yiwei Zhong & Shujuan Yang, 2021. "Relationship between Children’s Intergenerational Emotional Support and Subjective Well-Being among Middle-Aged and Elderly People in China: The Mediation Role of the Sense of Social Fairness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-12, December.
    10. Mihajlo (Michael) Jakovljevic & Laura Romeu-Gordo & Mira Vukovic & Maja Krstic, 2017. "Gender-Specific Health-Seeking Behavior and Income Status among the Elderly Citizens of Serbia," Eastern European Business and Economics Journal, Eastern European Business and Economics Studies Centre, vol. 3(1), pages 67-86.
    11. Lingzhi Li & Jingfeng Yuan & Kathy O. Roper & Zhipeng Zhou, 2017. "A Multi-Stakeholder Delphi Study to Determine Key Space Management Components for Elderly Facilities in China," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-19, September.
    12. Feifei Bu & Alasdair Rutherford, 2019. "Dementia, home care and institutionalisation from hospitals in older people," European Journal of Ageing, Springer, vol. 16(3), pages 283-291, September.
    13. Felipe Vásquez & Gibran Vita & Daniel B. Müller, 2018. "Food Security for an Aging and Heavier Population," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-19, October.
    14. Andreas Irmen, 2021. "Automation, growth, and factor shares in the era of population aging," Journal of Economic Growth, Springer, vol. 26(4), pages 415-453, December.
    15. Nick Parr, 2023. "An Alternative Perspective on the Changing Relationships between Fertility and Replacement Level in European Countries," Population and Development Review, The Population Council, Inc., vol. 49(2), pages 255-278, June.
    16. Kashnitsky, Ilya & de Beer, Joop & van Wissen, Leo, 2017. "Decomposition of regional convergence in population aging across Europe," OSF Preprints ykqbv, Center for Open Science.
    17. Hugo Benítez-Silva & Richard Disney & Sergi Jiménez-Martín, 2010. "Disability, capacity for work and the business cycle: an international perspective [Has the boom in incapacity benefit claimant numbers passed its peak?]," Economic Policy, CEPR;CES;MSH, vol. 25(63), pages 483-536.
    18. Elena Batunova & Giovanni Perucca, 2020. "Population shrinkage and economic growth in Russian regions 1998–2012," Regional Science Policy & Practice, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 12(4), pages 595-609, August.
    19. Timothy Riffe & Kieron J. Barclay & Sebastian Klüsener & Christina Bohk-Ewald, 2019. "Boom, echo, pulse, flow: 385 years of Swedish births," MPIDR Working Papers WP-2019-002, Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research, Rostock, Germany.
    20. Hugo Benítez-Silva & J. Ignacio García-Pérez & Sergi Jiménez-Martín, 2011. "The effects of employment uncertainty and wealth shocks on the labor supply and claiming behavior of older American workers," Economics Working Papers 1275, Department of Economics and Business, Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:4:p:1004-:d:138530. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.