Health in Sicily, Italy: official figures
Life expectancy at birth was 82.6 years in 2024 (83.7 for Italy); 20th highest of 21 regions in Italy.
How long do people live in good health in Sicily?
Healthy life expectancy at birth in Sicily was 55.9 years in 2025 (Italy 59.1 years), 3rd shortest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, down from 58.5 years in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyWhat is the avoidable death rate in Sicily?
Avoidable mortality, deaths under 75 that prevention or good care could have stopped, stood at 20.6 per 10,000 people in Sicily in 2022, compared with 17.6 nationally (2nd highest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces), up from 19.7 in 2017.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many patients from Sicily go to hospitals in other regions?
In 2024, 7.0% of patients from Sicily admitted to hospital for acute care went to another region for treatment, against a national 8.6%: 6th lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, down from 7.5% in 2019.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many people in Sicily give up medical care because of waiting lists?
In 2024, 9.0% of residents of Sicily gave up a medical visit or test they needed (Italy 9.9%), 9th lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces, up from 7.5% in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many nurses are there in Sicily?
There were 5.6 practising nurses and midwives for every 1,000 people in Sicily in 2023, against 7.2 nationally: 3rd lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyIs there a shortage of family doctors in Sicily?
In 2023, 25.5% of general practitioners in Sicily were over the 1,500-patient limit (national figure 51.7%), up from 14.8% in 2018.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many elderly people get home care in Sicily?
Integrated home care reached 5.5% of over-65s in Sicily in 2024 (Italy 4.4%), up from 4.2% in 2019.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow many people smoke in Sicily?
Lifestyle surveys for 2025 found 50.0% of adults in Sicily overweight or obese, 23.7% smokers and 47.0% 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 Sicily?
At 65, people in Sicily could expect 9.9 more years free of limitations in daily activities in 2025 (Italy 10.7), up from 8.0 in 2020.
Source: Istat (Italian National Institute of Statistics) · saved copyHow much does Sicily spend on health care?
The regional health service of Sicily spent €10.14 billion in 2023 in the Conti Pubblici Territoriali accounts, about €2,122 per resident, 6th lowest of 21 regions and autonomous provinces; spending was 19.4% 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 Sicily?
Adjusting for age, 1,031.2 people per 100,000 died in 2021, compared with 899.3 nationally and 1,073.4 in the EU; 2nd highest 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 Sicily?
Cancer killed 209.0 people per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 216.7 nationally and 233.1 in the EU; 11th highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 232.8.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of heart disease in Sicily?
Heart and circulatory diseases caused 299.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 247.4 nationally and 312.9 in the EU; 4th highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 403.0.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die of respiratory disease in Sicily?
Respiratory diseases caused 69.7 deaths per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 63.7 nationally and 75.2 in the EU; 3rd highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 65.0.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the suicide rate in Sicily?
The age-standardised suicide rate was 4.4 per 100,000 in 2023, compared with 5.8 nationally and 10.4 in the EU; 5th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 5.4.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die in accidents in Sicily?
Accidents, injuries, violence and other external causes killed 35.6 per 100,000 in 2023 (age-standardised), compared with 34.0 nationally and 49.4 in the EU; 8th highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2015 it was 35.7.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is the infant mortality rate in Sicily?
3.1 babies in every 1,000 born alive died before their first birthday in 2024, compared with 2.5 nationally and 3.5 in the EU; 4th highest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2014 it was 4.2.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many hospital beds does Sicily have?
Hospitals in Sicily had 288 beds for every 100,000 residents in 2024, compared with 312 nationally; 6th lowest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many doctors are there in Sicily?
There were 591 doctors per 100,000 people in 2024, compared with 575 nationally; 8th highest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people go to hospital in Sicily?
Hospitals discharged 8,486 in-patients per 100,000 people in 2021, compared with 9,328 nationally; 3rd lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2012 it was 10,834.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyCan people in Sicily get medical care?
In 2025, 3.2% of people reported going without a needed medical examination because of cost, distance or waiting lists, compared with 2.5% nationally; 6th highest of 21 regions in Italy.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow many people die on the roads in Sicily?
Road accidents killed 50 people per million residents in 2024, compared with 51 nationally; 7th lowest of 21 regions in Italy. In 2014 it was 42.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyWhat is life expectancy for men and women in Sicily?
Women in Sicily could expect to live to 84.5 and men to 80.5 at 2024 death rates, a gap of 4.0 years.
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow long do people live after 65 in Sicily?
People who reached 65 could expect 20.6 more years of life in 2024 (Italy: 21.4).
Source: Eurostat · saved copyHow Sicily compares with other regions
Healthy life expectancy at birth (years) (2025)
Sicily ranks 19 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)
Sicily ranks 2 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)
Sicily ranks 16 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital stays of residents in another region (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Lazio | 7.4% |
| 14 | Tuscany | 7.2% |
| 15 | Sardinia | 7.1% |
| 16 | Sicily | 7.0% |
| 17 | Piedmont | 6.8% |
| 18 | Veneto | 6.5% |
| 19 | Emilia-Romagna | 5.7% |
People who gave up needed health care (%) (2024)
Sicily ranks 13 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | People who gave up needed health care (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 10 | Liguria | 10.1% |
| 11 | Calabria | 10.0% |
| 12 | Piedmont | 9.2% |
| 13 | Sicily | 9.0% |
| 14 | Emilia-Romagna | 8.8% |
| 15 | Campania | 8.6% |
| 16 | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 8.5% |
Nurses and midwives per 1,000 residents (2023)
Sicily ranks 19 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Nurses and midwives per 1,000 residents |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Basilicata | 6.9 |
| 16 | Sardinia | 6.9 |
| 17 | Lombardy | 6.8 |
| 18 | Apulia | 6.8 |
| 19 | Sicily | 5.6 |
| 20 | Calabria | 5.5 |
| 21 | Campania | 5.4 |
Regional health spending per resident (euro, 2023) (2023)
Sicily ranks 16 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Lombardy | €2,166 |
| 14 | Apulia | €2,152 |
| 15 | Basilicata | €2,123 |
| 16 | Sicily | €2,122 |
| 17 | Tuscany | €2,053 |
| 18 | Lazio | €2,039 |
| 19 | Umbria | €2,037 |
Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) (2021)
Sicily ranks 2 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised, all causes) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campania | 1,058.3 |
| 2 | Sicily | 1,031.2 |
| 3 | Molise | 972.5 |
| 4 | Calabria | 967.6 |
| 5 | Apulia | 945.8 |
| 6 | Lazio | 906.6 |
| 7 | Basilicata | 906.0 |
Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sicily ranks 11 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Cancer deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 8 | Emilia-Romagna | 211.9 |
| 9 | Apulia | 211.1 |
| 10 | Tuscany | 209.0 |
| 11 | Sicily | 209.0 |
| 12 | Umbria | 207.9 |
| 13 | Abruzzo | 205.7 |
| 14 | Calabria | 204.0 |
Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sicily ranks 4 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Heart and circulatory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campania | 338.8 |
| 2 | Calabria | 314.6 |
| 3 | Molise | 303.3 |
| 4 | Sicily | 299.5 |
| 5 | Basilicata | 290.2 |
| 6 | Apulia | 265.5 |
| 7 | Abruzzo | 265.3 |
Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sicily ranks 3 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Respiratory deaths per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Campania | 77.5 |
| 2 | Umbria | 70.5 |
| 3 | Sicily | 69.7 |
| 4 | Lazio | 68.7 |
| 5 | Valle d’Aosta/Vallée d’Aoste | 67.9 |
| 6 | Apulia | 67.6 |
| 7 | Basilicata | 66.8 |
Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) (2023)
Sicily ranks 17 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Suicides per 100,000 (age-standardised) |
|---|---|---|
| 14 | Tuscany | 5.0 |
| 15 | Calabria | 4.8 |
| 16 | Apulia | 4.6 |
| 17 | Sicily | 4.4 |
| 18 | Lazio | 4.3 |
| 19 | Molise | 4.3 |
| 20 | Liguria | 3.4 |
Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 (2023)
Sicily ranks 8 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Deaths from accidents, injury and violence per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Basilicata | 39.0 |
| 6 | Calabria | 38.4 |
| 7 | Molise | 37.8 |
| 8 | Sicily | 35.6 |
| 9 | Apulia | 35.5 |
| 10 | Lazio | 35.0 |
| 11 | Umbria | 35.0 |
Infant deaths per 1,000 live births (2024)
Sicily ranks 4 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Infant deaths per 1,000 live births |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Umbria | 3.8 |
| 2 | Molise | 3.8 |
| 3 | Basilicata | 3.3 |
| 4 | Sicily | 3.1 |
| 5 | Calabria | 3.1 |
| 6 | Tuscany | 3.0 |
| 7 | Lombardy | 2.8 |
Hospital beds per 100,000 people (2024)
Sicily ranks 16 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital beds per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 13 | Umbria | 306 |
| 14 | Molise | 305 |
| 15 | Sardinia | 293 |
| 16 | Sicily | 288 |
| 17 | Tuscany | 285 |
| 18 | Marche | 284 |
| 19 | Apulia | 274 |
Doctors per 100,000 people (2024)
Sicily ranks 8 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Doctors per 100,000 people |
|---|---|---|
| 5 | Liguria | 639 |
| 6 | Umbria | 621 |
| 7 | Abruzzo | 599 |
| 8 | Sicily | 591 |
| 9 | Friuli-Venezia Giulia | 590 |
| 10 | Lombardy | 565 |
| 11 | Molise | 542 |
Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 (2021)
Sicily ranks 19 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Hospital in-patient discharges per 100,000 |
|---|---|---|
| 15 | Provincia Autonoma di Trento | 9,152 |
| 16 | Apulia | 9,148 |
| 17 | Basilicata | 8,883 |
| 18 | Lombardy | 8,808 |
| 19 | Sicily | 8,486 |
| 20 | Campania | 8,393 |
| 21 | Calabria | 8,113 |
Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) (2025)
Sicily ranks 6 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Unmet need for medical care (cost, distance or waiting list) |
|---|---|---|
| 3 | Tuscany | 3.3% |
| 4 | Sardinia | 3.3% |
| 5 | Basilicata | 3.3% |
| 6 | Sicily | 3.2% |
| 7 | Campania | 2.8% |
| 8 | Lombardy | 2.6% |
| 9 | Calabria | 2.5% |
Road deaths per million people (2024)
Sicily ranks 15 of 21, highest first.
| Rank | Region | Road deaths per million people |
|---|---|---|
| 12 | Veneto | 55 |
| 13 | Calabria | 52 |
| 14 | Tuscany | 51 |
| 15 | Sicily | 50 |
| 16 | Marche | 49 |
| 17 | Campania | 47 |
| 18 | Molise | 42 |
More on Sicily: 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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