Italy's fertility rate plunges to 80-year low amid economic woes

Italy's birth rate has hit a historic low, plummeting by nearly 4% last year to a level not seen since 1945, a report revealed Tuesday. The nation's fertility rate, defined as the average number of children born per woman, fell to 1.14, according to findings by the Birthrate Foundation and Italy's National Institute of Statistics (Istat).

This figure falls far short of the 2.1 fertility rate required to sustain Italy's population without relying on immigration. The report attributes this sharp decline to a combination of challenging economic conditions and a lack of support for working mothers.

"The desire for motherhood and fatherhood is still present, but it often clashes with job insecurity, high costs, incompatible lifestyles and inadequate services," the report stated, highlighting the societal and economic barriers faced by potential parents. With only 355,000 babies born in 2025, the trend points to significant demographic challenges ahead for the European nation.

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The desire for motherhood and fatherhood is still present, but it often clashes with job insecurity, high costs, incompatible lifestyles and inadequate services.