Italy witnessed a significant decline in births last year, with its fertility rate reaching a historic low not seen since 1945, according to a recent report by the Birthrate Foundation and Italy's National Institute of Statistics (Istat).
In 2025, the country recorded 355,000 births, translating to an average of 1.14 children per woman. This figure is well below the 2.1 children per woman needed to sustain a stable population without relying on immigration.
Factors Behind the Decline
- Economic pressures: Many prospective parents cited financial concerns as a major deterrent to having children.
- Job insecurity: Unstable employment conditions contribute to postponing or foregoing parenthood.
- Lack of family support services: Inadequate childcare and support systems force many women to leave the workforce out of necessity.
- Incompatible lifestyles: Balancing work and family life remains a challenge for many.
The report highlighted that although the desire for parenthood persists, these obstacles often prevent families from expanding. If all women who expressed the intention to have children within three years had done so, Italy would have seen approximately 760,000 births annually—more than double the actual number in 2025.
Population Stability Maintained by Immigration
Despite the drop in births, Italy's overall population remained stable at 58.9 million in 2025. Immigration played a crucial role, with 440,000 new arrivals offsetting the natural population decline caused by the low birth rate and an aging demographic.
