COVID has sharpened 'demographic recession' says ISTAT

(ANSA) - ROME, DEC 9 - The COVID-9 pandemic has sharpened Italy's 'demographic recession', ISTAT said Thursday.
    It increased a fall in the resident population between the beginning and the end of 2020, the national statistics agency said.
    The mortality rate was higher in the north than in the south, ISTAT added.
    As of December 31, 2020, ISTAT said in its latest census figures, the Italian resident population was 59,236,213, down 0.7% on 2019, or a fall of 405,275 individuals.
    The Italian population has been falling due to a steadily declining birth rate, only partially offset by people living longer. (ANSA).