The data reveals a consistent decline in the number of available hospital beds in Italy from 2013 to 2023, decreasing from 199.47 thousand beds in 2013 to 175.15 thousand beds in 2023. Over the last decade, there has been an annual average decrease, with year-on-year variations generally lying between -0.44% and -2.3%. Variations show a downward trend, particularly notable in 2020 and the subsequent years. The Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) over the last 5 years indicated an average annual decline of approximately -1.59%.
Future trends indicate a continuation of this decline, with forecasts showing the number of beds decreasing to 159.1 thousand by 2028, marking a 5-year CAGR of -1.52% and an overall decrease of 7.38% from 2023 to 2028.
Future trends to watch for include:
- Potential policy changes in healthcare aimed at addressing the declining number of available hospital beds.
- The impact of technological advancements and alternative care models, such as outpatient care and telemedicine, on hospital bed availability.
- Demographic shifts, particularly an aging population, which may influence hospital bed demand.
- Investments in new healthcare infrastructure or renovations of existing facilities to potentially counteract the declining trend.
