Social and Demographic aspects of aging among migrants in Italy

Aldo ROSANO , National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policy
Pasquale Di Padova, National Institute for the Analysis of Public Policy

Population aging and the associated changes in demographic structures constitutes a key challenge across Europe with a rising demand for care and increasingly complex needs putting strong pressure on the health and social care systems. Simultaneously with the process of aging, the demographics of Europe are affected by increased migration. Although migrants are young when they arrive, they will themselves age if they are allowed to stay in the country of destination. Aging of migrant population is becoming a relevant issue to be addressed also in countries of recent immigration. Available demographic and epidemiologic data on aged migrants are scarce the evidence base is still fragmented, with little internationally comparable information. The aim of the study is to analyse the changes in the demographic structure of migrant population in Italy and the impact of aging on health outcomes, such as disability and chronic diseases. Preliminary results put in evidence that in Italy about 274 thousand migrant people are aged over 64 years, representing 5.4% of the citizens of other countries. The number of elderly migrants is as much as seven times larger than twenty years ago. The estimated number of migrants with disability in Italy is 199 thousand, and those suffering from chronic diseases are 726 thousand. With such an increase in the number of elderlies, the occurrence of disability and chronic diseases is becoming a serious issue among the migrant population in Italy also considering the inequalities in the access to health care and social services they experience.

See extended abstract

 Presented in Session 42. Health and ageing of immigrants