Istat said Friday that 488,000 babies were born in 2015, eight for every 1,000 residents, making it the lowest level since the unification of Italy. The figure was 15,000 births down on the number for 2014.
The national statistics agency added that there were 653,000 deaths in Italy last year, up by 54,000 (9.1%) on 2014.
The mortality rate was 10.7 per 1,000, among the highest registered in the post-war period, with fatalities concentrated in the 75-95 age range.
Istat said Friday that 100,000 Italian citizens were removed from the registry of residents in 2015 after moving abroad, a 12.4% increase on 2014.
The national statistics agency said 28,000 Italians returned to Italy from abroad. It said 245,000 foreign nationals registered as residing in Italy last year, while 45,000 others left the country.
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