SICILIA - Population
A young population and a high emigration
The population density in Sicily is just above the national average. In 2001, 197.5 inhabitants per km2 were registered in average in the region. It varies however between the provinces, from a minimum of 70 inhabitants per km2 in the province of Enna to a maximum of 310 in the province of Catania (2000 data).
A particular feature of the demographic pattern in Sicily ? at least until the end of the 1970s ? was the negative impact of emigration, which considerably countered the positive trend of natural growth. The population of Sicily, at least until 1981, thus showed an annual rate of increase which was well below the natural rate. In the years following 1981, however, there was a marked upturn in the demographic pattern in Sicily and throughout the regions of southern Italy in general. The population of the region has grown steadily from 1992 until 1998, when it registered more than 5 100 000 inhabitants. Since 1998, the population is declining, although at a low pace.
The birth rate has decreased considerably, as it equaled 15.4 per thousand in 1980 and 10.4 per thousand in 2001. It remains however above the national average of 9.2.
The death rate in Sicily in 2001 has not varied compared to 1980, when it was equal to 9.1 per thousand; it was slightly lower than the national average of 9.5. The birth rate thus remains above the level of the death rate, assuring a positive natural balance of the population. In 2001, 51 900 live births were registered in Sicily, against 45 000 deaths. The decrease in the region?s population is due to the negative net migration. The number of emigrants exceeds the number of immigrants in all provinces of Sicily, except for Ragusa.
The population in Sicily is ?younger? than the average Italian population. In 2001, the proportion of the young generations (under 25) was 31.3% of the total population, compared to a national figure of 25.8%, whereas the proportion of the older generations (over 65) was 16.4%, compared to a national figure of 18.2%.
Sicily's geographical position has also meant that in recent years there has been a significant influx of immigrants, mainly from non-EU countries. On 1 January 1990 the records showed 25 484 foreigners registered, of whom 87.3% came from countries outside the EU. This underestimates the real situation since there are many illegal immigrants, whose numbers vary depending on the country of origin. In 2001, 70 100 foreigners were registered in Sicily, most of whom (90%) were coming from non-EU countries.
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