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Study: Italy's elderly population is growing

April 25, 1998
Web posted at: 1:53 p.m. EDT (1753 GMT)

ROME (CNN) -- Within the next few decades, Italy could have a difficult time supporting its elderly population, because the future work force looks fairly small.

A government study shows Italy has one of the lowest global birth rates. The country, which for centuries has favored large families, now has fewer children under age 15 than it does people over 65.

In the 1950s there were three children for every elderly Italian citizen.

Sociologists say the population change may be due to Italy's failure to accommodate the family needs of a growing female work force. The government has not created more day-care centers or other child-care options for working mothers.

Some grandmothers tell their daughters they'll gladly help with one child, but not with more than one, sociologist Antonio Golini told CNN.

The government has not said how it plans to deal with the population shift. But sociologists worry that in the near future, there won't be enough working taxpayers to support the retirees on pensions.

Rome bureau chief Gayle Young contributed to this report.

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