Viral Dancing Seniors Turn Spotlight on Italy's Ageing Workforce

An elderly couple dancing to Michael Jackson and Elvis Presley in a Roman square has become an internet sensation, striking a chord in a country with the oldest population in the European Union, according to France 24. The pair, filmed by a tour operator, said they hope their fame pushes other seniors off the sofa into a more active lifestyle.

The viral moment lands at a sensitive time for Lombardy, Italy's wealthiest region but one that is ageing faster than the national average. The region's population of 10.1 million has a median age above 46, and its birth rate has fallen to record lows, straining pension systems and healthcare spending.

France 24 reported that the couple's performance was shared online last week and quickly spread, resonating with Italians who face a demographic reality in which the over-65s now outnumber under-15s nationwide.