Sardinia, one of the world’s most scenic islands, is struggling with a shrinking population. Over the past three decades, its population has fallen from 1.64 million to 1.57 million, with most residents concentrated in the two largest cities. Smaller villages risk becoming ghost towns as fewer people start families.
Financial incentives for newcomers
To encourage settlement in villages with fewer than 3,000 residents, authorities are offering:
- Up to €15,000 for home purchase or renovation
- Up to €20,000 to start a business that creates local jobs
- A monthly allowance of €600 for the first child and €400 for each additional child for up to five years
Despite these incentives, relocation remains low, with few newcomers moving to the island’s small communities. Sardinia’s population is largely aging, with an average of 0.91 children per woman, the lowest in Italy, far below the 2.1 children per woman needed to maintain population levels.
Villages facing demographic collapse
The village of Baradili, Sardinia’s smallest with only 76 residents, has not seen a birth in ten years. Local schools now operate on a rotating system, with children traveling between neighboring villages for lessons. Access to high schools and healthcare is particularly challenging, with the nearest facilities over 30 kilometers away.
Challenges remain
Even with the incentives, Sardinia has seen little impact on reversing depopulation, with only a fraction of newcomers coming from abroad. Immigrants make up roughly 3.3% of the island’s population, below Italy’s national average of 8.9%.
The island’s declining population highlights broader challenges facing rural Europe, where low birth rates and urban migration threaten the survival of small communities. Sardinia’s bold financial offer reflects an urgent attempt to revive village life and sustain local culture.
