In order to achieve sustainable and equitable economic growth and manage public debt, Italy must address three "structural issues: declining birth rates, aging population, and territorial depopulation". This was declared by Giancarlo Giorgetti, Minister of the Economy. Indeed, if the birth rate continues to decline, the population will shrink by an average of 1.1 per thousand per year until 2030, by 3.3 per thousand until 2050, and then by 5.8 per thousand until 2080. The regions of Southern Italy would suffer the most, aggravating existing disparities. The gradual drop in the number of new births, along with a steady increase in life expectancy, is driving the population to age. The tax return data shows it clearly: "The percentage of income declared by taxpayers aged 65 and older has increased from 24% to 35% in the past two decades, while that of taxpayers aged 15 to 44 has decreased from 37% to 23%," Giorgetti observed. A trend that is expected to put further "pressure on pension, healthcare, and long-term care spending". Fewer births also result in fewer students: during the 2018/19 and 2022/23 school years, there was a 5.2% decline in students. A public resource saving that, however, does not serve the interests of the country system.