General

The population of Italy in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 57,423,000, which placed it as number 22 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 19% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 14% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 94 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000-2005 is -0.10%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 55,507,000. The population density in 2002 was 193 per sq km (499 per sq mi). The Po Valley is one of the most densely populated areas of the country.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 67% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Rome, had a population of 2,685,000 in that year. Other major cities include Milan, 4,251,000; Naples, 3,012,000; Turin (Torino), 1,294,000; Genoa, 890,000; Palermo, 734,238; Bologna, 411,803; and Florence, 778,000. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000- 2005 was 0.1%.

The great majority of the population speaks Italian (including several dialects). There are small German-, French-, and Slavic-speaking minorities. Nearly all Italians are nominally Roman Catholic, although there are small Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities.

The population of Italy in 2003 was estimated by the United Nations at 57,423,000, which placed it as number 22 in population among the 193 nations of the world. In that year approximately 19% of the population was over 65 years of age, with another 14% of the population under 15 years of age. There were 94 males for every 100 females in the country in 2003. According to the UN, the annual population growth rate for 2000-2005 is -0.10%, with the projected population for the year 2015 at 55,507,000. The population density in 2002 was 193 per sq km (499 per sq mi). The Po Valley is one of the most densely populated areas of the country.

It was estimated by the Population Reference Bureau that 67% of the population lived in urban areas in 2001. The capital city, Rome, had a population of 2,685,000 in that year. Other major cities include Milan, 4,251,000; Naples, 3,012,000; Turin (Torino), 1,294,000; Genoa, 890,000; Palermo, 734,238; Bologna, 411,803; and Florence, 778,000. According to the United Nations, the urban population growth rate for 2000- 2005 was 0.1%.

The great majority of the population speaks Italian (including several dialects). There are small German-, French-, and Slavic-speaking minorities. Nearly all Italians are nominally Roman Catholic, although there are small Protestant, Jewish and Muslim communities.

Overview