Rural population decline leaves homes empty as wolves return

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  The article says surveillance-camera images show wolves near homes in Florence, less than two kilometres from the historic centre.

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  It argues that declining human populations are allowing forests and wildlife to return to areas people have left.

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  The article says Italy has lost about 1.5 million residents since 2014, with rural decline particularly pronounced in the south.

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  It cites 2021 figures from Italy’s national statistics agency showing about 35 million homes, nearly 10 million of them unoccupied.

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  Around 45% of homes in rural and mountain areas were unoccupied, according to the figures cited in the article.

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  The author argues that restoring or selling empty rural homes has had limited success and suggests demolition as one possible response to unwanted, deteriorating properties.

Who

Residents, rural communities and people seeking housing in Italy; the article also discusses wolves and other wildlife.

What

A commentary on rural depopulation, returning wildlife, vacant homes and the possibility of demolishing unwanted properties.

When

Published on 10 October 2026; housing figures cited are from 2021.

Where

Italy, including Florence and rural and mountain areas, especially in the south.

Why

The author links wildlife returning to areas people leave and argues that vacant rural housing does not resolve housing shortages in cities.

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