Italy registered about 13 thousand fewer births between January and July 2025, compared to the same period in 2024. The drop is equivalent to 6,3%, according to data released by the National Institute of Statistics (Istat) this Tuesday, 21.
In total, 369.944 children were born in 2024, a number that already represented a 2,6% reduction compared to 2023—about 10 fewer. The downward trend in births in the country has continued since the early 2000s.
The report Natality and happiness of the resident population – Year 2024 indicates that the average number of children per woman in Italy fell to 1,18 in 2024, compared to 1,20 the previous year. The estimate for 2025, based on preliminary data from the first seven months of the year, indicates a further decline, with an average of 1,13 children per woman.
Italian women have even fewer children
Fertility among women with Italian citizenship fell from 1,14 in 2023 to 1,11 in 2024. Among foreign resident women, the rate is higher, which helps to slightly balance the national average.
Another relevant fact is the average age of mothers at the birth of their first child, which rose from 31,7 years in 2023 to 31,9 years in 2024. This shows a trend of postponing motherhood.
The proportion of children born outside of marriage also increased. In 2024, this figure rose to 43,2% of births, compared to 42,4% the previous year.
Aging and demographic impact
The persistent decline in the birth rate "worries" authorities and experts, as it exacerbates the aging of the Italian population. The country already has one of the highest proportions of elderly people in Europe, putting pressure on the health and pension systems.
Istat has not yet released projections for the end of 2025, but preliminary data indicate that the decline is expected to continue.
