Population Change and Residential Segregation in Italian Small Areas, 2011–2021: An Analysis With New Spatial Units

Abstract

This article explores spatial patterns of demographic change and residential segregation in Italy over the past decade, a topic which has not been studied in detail in the literature. Population ageing and migration are unfolding rapidly in a number of European countries, generating tensions and challenges at local level. Aggregate regional or national statistics can conceal significant variations at local level, which are of considerable interest and relevance. This is particularly the case in Italy, where spatial heterogeneity and regional disparities are marked. The analysis presented in this paper uses a new source of data derived from large public archives, which permits comparisons to be made at local level with the 2011 census of population. In this way, it is possible to map out and to analyse demographic trends at a fine level of spatial definition. In order to exploit the potential of these data, the authors use a new set of spatial units which were derived by applying automatic rezoning procedures. These output areas are well suited to the study of the age structure of local populations, population change, and migration in a uniform way across the entire national territory, as the empirical results confirm.