According to the organisation, the two northern regions are adding around 2000 90-year-olds a year.

This has been accompanied by the highest rise in demand for elderly assistance, with a total of over 600,000 over 65s with two or more chronic illnesses, and 180,000 elderly people who are not self-sufficient.

The Veneto branch of SIGG said life expectancy in the two regions is 81 years for men and 85 for women in Veneto, and 81.5 for men and 86 for women in Trentino.

ANSA