Health in Sardinia, Italy: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 83.2 years in 2024 (83.7 for Italy); 17th highest of 21 regions in Italy.
How long do people live in good health in Sardinia?
A baby born in Sardinia in 2025 could expect to live 56.6 years in good health, against 59.1 years for Italy as a whole: 4th shortest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, down from 59.5 years in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyWhat is the avoidable death rate in Sardinia?
Sardinia recorded 19.6 avoidable deaths per 10,000 residents aged 0 to 74 in 2022, deaths that timely prevention or treatment could have averted (Italy 17.6). That is 4th highest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, up from 18.6 in 2017.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many patients from Sardinia go to hospitals in other regions?
7.1% of acute hospital stays by residents of Sardinia in 2024 were in a hospital in another region (Italy 8.6%), 7th lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, up from 6.4% in 2019.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many people in Sardinia give up medical care because of waiting lists?
17.2% of people in Sardinia said they had gone without health care they needed in 2024, because of waiting lists, cost or distance (Italy 9.9%); the highest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, up from 14.8% in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many nurses are there in Sardinia?
Sardinia had 6.9 nurses and midwives per 1,000 residents in 2023 (Italy 7.2), 6th lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyIs there a shortage of family doctors in Sardinia?
60.6% of family doctors (GPs) in Sardinia had more patients on their list than the legal ceiling of 1,500 in 2023 (Italy 51.7%), up from 28.7% in 2018.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many elderly people get home care in Sardinia?
2.2% of people aged 65 and over in Sardinia received integrated home care (ADI) in 2024, against 4.4% across Italy, up from 1.8% in 2019.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many people smoke in Sardinia?
Lifestyle surveys for 2025 found 41.0% of adults in Sardinia overweight or obese, 20.2% smokers and 28.2% doing no sport or physical activity (age-standardised; Italy 44.7%, 20.0% and 29.8%).
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyWhat is life expectancy without disability at 65 in Sardinia?
At 65, people in Sardinia could expect 9.5 more years free of limitations in daily activities in 2025 (Italy 10.7), down from 10.2 in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow much does Sardinia spend on health care?
The regional health service of Sardinia spent €3.67 billion in 2023 in the Conti Pubblici Territoriali accounts, about €2,358 per resident, 6th highest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces; spending was 18.5% higher than in 2013 in cash terms.
Source: Dipartimento per le politiche di coesione e per il Sud, Presidency of the Council of Ministers · saved copyWhat is the death rate in Sardinia?
The age-standardised death rate from all causes was 857.4 per 100,000 people in 2021 (Italy: 899.3; EU: 1,073.4); 7th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. Age-standardised rates allow fair comparison between places with older and younger populations.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of cancer in Sardinia?
The age-standardised cancer death rate was 224.3 per 100,000 in 2023, compared with 216.7 nationally and 233.1 in the EU; 4th highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 251.9.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Sardinia?
Heart and circulatory diseases caused 208.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 247.4 nationally and 312.9 in the EU; 2nd lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 274.4.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Sardinia?
Respiratory diseases caused 57.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 63.7 nationally and 75.2 in the EU; 5th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 63.4.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Sardinia?
The age-standardised suicide rate was 9.2 per 100,000 in 2023, compared with 5.8 nationally and 10.4 in the EU; 2nd highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 8.9.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Sardinia?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 44.5 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 34.0 nationally and 49.4 in the EU; the highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 40.0.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Sardinia?
The infant mortality rate was 2.1 per 1,000 live births in 2024, compared with 2.5 nationally and 3.5 in the EU; 6th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2014 it was 2.4.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Sardinia have?
There were 293 hospital beds per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 312 nationally; 7th lowest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Sardinia?
There were 653 doctors per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 575 nationally; 2nd highest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Sardinia?
Hospitals discharged 9,219 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021 (Italy: 9,328); 9th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2012 it was 11,978.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Sardinia get medical care?
3.3% of people said they could not get a medical examination they needed in 2025 because it was too expensive, too far or the waiting list was too long, compared with 2.5% nationally; 4th highest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Sardinia?
There were 72 road deaths per million people in 2024, compared with 51 nationally; 2nd highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2014 it was 59.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Sardinia?
Women in Sardinia could expect to live to 85.7 and men to 80.7 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 5.0 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Sardinia?
People who reached 65 could expect 21.4 more years of life in 2024 (Italy: 21.4).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Sardinia compares with other regions
Healthy life expectancy at birth (years) (2025)
Sardinia ranks 18 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Healthy life expectancy at birth (years) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Molise | 58.4 years |
| 16 | Apulia | 57.8 years |
| 17 | Campania | 56.9 years |
| 18 | Sardinia | 56.6 years |
| 19 | Sicily | 55.9 years |
| 20 | Basilicata | 54.9 years |
| 21 | Calabria | 52.6 years |
Avoidable deaths per 10,000 residents aged 0-74 (standardised) (2022)
Sardinia ranks 4 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Avoidable deaths per 10,000 residents aged 0-74 (standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campania | 22.4 |
| 2 | Sicily | 20.6 |
| 3 | Calabria | 20.1 |
| 4 | Sardinia | 19.6 |
| 5 | Molise | 19.4 |
| 6 | Basilicata | 19.0 |
| 7 | Lazio | 18.5 |
Hospital stays of residents in another region (%) (2024)
Sardinia ranks 15 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital stays of residents in another region (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 7.9% |
| 13 | Lazio | 7.4% |
| 14 | Tuscany | 7.2% |
| 15 | Sardinia | 7.1% |
| 16 | Sicily | 7.0% |
| 17 | Piedmont | 6.8% |
| 18 | Veneto | 6.5% |
People who gave up needed health care (%) (2024)
Sardinia ranks 1 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People who gave up needed health care (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sardinia | 17.2% |
| 2 | Abruzzo | 12.6% |
| 3 | Umbria | 12.2% |
| 4 | Lazio | 12.0% |
| 5 | Molise | 10.9% |
| 6 | Apulia | 10.9% |
| 7 | Basilicata | 10.8% |
Nurses and midwives per 1,000 residents (2023)
Sardinia ranks 16 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nurses and midwives per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Abruzzo | 7.2 |
| 14 | Piedmont | 7.1 |
| 15 | Basilicata | 6.9 |
| 16 | Sardinia | 6.9 |
| 17 | Lombardy | 6.8 |
| 18 | Apulia | 6.8 |
| 19 | Sicily | 5.6 |
Regional health spending per resident (euro, 2023) (2023)
Sardinia ranks 6 of 21, highest first. Consolidated spending on health by the regional administration (region, health authorities and agencies) in 2023, divided by population on 1 January 2026.
| Rank | Region | Regional health spending per resident (euro, 2023) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | €2,715 |
| 4 | Emilia-Romagna | €2,484 |
| 5 | Molise | €2,421 |
| 6 | Sardinia | €2,358 |
| 7 | Veneto | €2,301 |
| 8 | Liguria | €2,216 |
| 9 | Marche | €2,205 |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Sardinia ranks 15 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Liguria | 866.7 |
| 13 | Marche | 864.9 |
| 14 | Emilia-Romagna | 860.2 |
| 15 | Sardinia | 857.4 |
| 16 | Tuscany | 847.6 |
| 17 | Umbria | 839.4 |
| 18 | Lombardy | 835.2 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sardinia ranks 4 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campania | 238.4 |
| 2 | Piedmont | 227.6 |
| 3 | Lazio | 226.3 |
| 4 | Sardinia | 224.3 |
| 5 | Lombardy | 222.4 |
| 6 | Liguria | 217.9 |
| 7 | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 215.8 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sardinia ranks 20 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Lombardy | 217.7 |
| 16 | Tuscany | 213.5 |
| 17 | Veneto | 212.6 |
| 18 | Umbria | 211.8 |
| 19 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | 211.7 |
| 20 | Sardinia | 208.5 |
| 21 | Provincia Autonoma di Trento | 204.1 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sardinia ranks 17 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Tuscany | 61.4 |
| 15 | Marche | 58.6 |
| 16 | Liguria | 58.2 |
| 17 | Sardinia | 57.7 |
| 18 | Lombardy | 57.3 |
| 19 | Veneto | 55.0 |
| 20 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | 49.8 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sardinia ranks 2 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Valle d’Aosta/Vallée d’Aoste | 13.0 |
| 2 | Sardinia | 9.2 |
| 3 | Piedmont | 8.5 |
| 4 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | 8.5 |
| 5 | Provincia Autonoma di Trento | 7.5 |
| 6 | Umbria | 7.5 |
| 7 | Veneto | 7.4 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Sardinia ranks 1 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sardinia | 44.5 |
| 2 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | 43.2 |
| 3 | Valle d’Aosta/Vallée d’Aoste | 42.4 |
| 4 | Abruzzo | 41.1 |
| 5 | Basilicata | 39.0 |
| 6 | Calabria | 38.4 |
| 7 | Molise | 37.8 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Sardinia ranks 16 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Lazio | 2.3 |
| 14 | Marche | 2.3 |
| 15 | Emilia-Romagna | 2.1 |
| 16 | Sardinia | 2.1 |
| 17 | Piedmont | 2.0 |
| 18 | Provincia Autonoma di Bolzano/Bozen | 2.0 |
| 19 | Abruzzo | 1.9 |
Hospital beds per 100,000 people (2024)
Sardinia ranks 15 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Veneto | 307 |
| 13 | Umbria | 306 |
| 14 | Molise | 305 |
| 15 | Sardinia | 293 |
| 16 | Sicily | 288 |
| 17 | Tuscany | 285 |
| 18 | Marche | 284 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Sardinia ranks 2 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lazio | 690 |
| 2 | Sardinia | 653 |
| 3 | Emilia-Romagna | 643 |
| 4 | Tuscany | 640 |
| 5 | Liguria | 639 |
| 6 | Umbria | 621 |
| 7 | Abruzzo | 599 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Sardinia ranks 13 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Tuscany | 9,362 |
| 11 | Lazio | 9,293 |
| 12 | Molise | 9,235 |
| 13 | Sardinia | 9,219 |
| 14 | Veneto | 9,210 |
| 15 | Provincia Autonoma di Trento | 9,152 |
| 16 | Apulia | 9,148 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Sardinia ranks 4 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umbria | 8.8% |
| 2 | Apulia | 4.7% |
| 3 | Tuscany | 3.3% |
| 4 | Sardinia | 3.3% |
| 5 | Basilicata | 3.3% |
| 6 | Sicily | 3.2% |
| 7 | Campania | 2.8% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Sardinia ranks 2 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umbria | 73 |
| 2 | Sardinia | 72 |
| 3 | Provincia Autonoma di Trento | 70 |
| 4 | Abruzzo | 68 |
| 5 | Apulia | 62 |
| 6 | Emilia-Romagna | 61 |
| 7 | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 61 |
More on Sardinia: overview · economy and jobs · education and schools · poverty and living standards · government budget · government and politics · Italy
Sources
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy at birth, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 62800ed9bbb3…)
- Dipartimento per le politiche di coesione e per il Sud, Presidency of the Council of Ministers: Conti Pubblici Territoriali, Open CPT: consolidated public administration spending by region, sector and level of government, 2000-2023 (SP_PA_SE_TS_CETOT), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e43827f5e93d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset tran_r_acci: Victims in road accidents by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 a183ad1f888d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_minfind: Infant mortality rates by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 60cbafea3657…)
- Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics): BES (equitable and sustainable well-being) indicators by region, interim update April 2026: indicatori_regione_sesso.xlsx, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 9003db40394e…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_co_disch2t: Hospital discharges by diagnosis and NUTS 2 region (in-patients), read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 d93487a1c1f9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_cd_asdr2: Causes of death: standardised death rate by NUTS 2 region of residence, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 308c4b705d5d…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_silc_08_r: Self-reported unmet needs for medical examination by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 e5484460cdfc…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset demo_r_mlifexp: Life expectancy by age, sex and NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 f5a2a33406b9…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_physreg: Physicians by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 4ff68eb77f8b…)
- Eurostat: Eurostat dataset hlth_rs_bdsrg2: Hospital beds by NUTS 2 region, read 23 October 2026 · saved copy (SHA-256 3178c155028f…)
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