SARDEGNA - Population
An atypical population
In 2001, Sardegna was one of the Italian regions with the lowest population density, after Valle D?Aosta and Basilicata. With 67.7 inhabitants per km2, in fact, it is well below the national average (189.1 inhabitants per km2).
Since the second half of the 1990s, Sardegna registers each year a negative or null population balance. According to the last population census of 2001, resident population was equal to 1 631 880 inhabitants, 1% less than in 1991. This decrease has been more consistent in the provinces of Nuoro and Oristano (-3% and ?2.5%), in the internal areas of which there is an increasing depopulation.
In recent years, however, the birth and death rates have been stabilising, and were equal (in 2002) to 8.0 and 8.4 per thousand respectively. They are amongst the lowest in Italy and are very different, in particular, to those of the other regions in the south of Italy (to which Sardegna is generally referred).
The population is Sardegna appears to be one of the youngest in Italy, according to the share of the ?older generation? (well below the national average). However this is due to the prevailing of the generations in the ?middle? age groups, in particular those between 14 and 49 years of age.
This is probably the consequence of the emigration from Sardinia which took place in the past, which privileged far away destinations and thus tended to be definitive. This led, initially, to a fall in the population in working age, and subsequently, in the older age groups of population.
Emigration from Sardinia, which had slowed down considerable, seams to have started again, in particular since 1997. From this date, in fact, a constantly negative net migration has been registered, partly determining the fall in population mentioned above. This phenomenon can be explained by the high unemployment rates registered in the island, concerning in particular young people.
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