International

Population

The present-day province of Milan, even after the separation of Monza and Brianza in June 2009, is one of the most populated nationally, with 3,083,955 inhabitants. It has a population density of 1,954 inhabitants per km², and even though it only represents 6.6% the regional territory, it is inhabited by 32% of the entire population of Lombardy. Its population density is surpassed only by the new province, which has 2,153 inhabitants per km².

A comparison of the number of inhabitants in the 12 provinces of Lombardy highlights the population situation in the Milanese province.  

Population in the provinces of Lombardy

Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2009

The following table shows the distribution of the communes of the province of Milan, based on number of their inhabitants. More than 50% of the communes are located in the category with between 5,000 and 20,000 inhabitants, and only 3% of the communes have more than 50,000 inhabitants: Cinisello Balsamo (73,683), Legnano (56,942), Rho (50,143), Sesto San Giovanni (80,886) and Milan (1,299,633). 

Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2008

The graph shows the distribution of the inhabitants of the 134 communes of the province of Milan according to age. In 2008, the number of the province's inhabitants over 100 years of age was 563.


Population distribution according to age 

Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2008 

The balance between males and females in the Milanese population shows a higher proportion of males in the first two age groups. Above 59 years of age, the situation is reversed.

Milanese population by age group and gender

 
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2008
 

Regarding the presence of foreign residents, it is observed that they represent around 5% the population, of whom more than 50% live in the commune of Milan.
 

Foreign residents

Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2008
 

Among the reasons for requesting residence permits in Milan, work occupies the first place, with 65.9%, then family, with 28%, and study, with 2.3%. 257,779 residence permits were granted in 2007.

Residence permits by requesting reasons

Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) Year 2007