In the first seven months of the year only 197,956 new births: the fertility rate drops to 1.13 children per woman, the lowest level ever
Italy continues to age and not have children. In the first seven months of 2025, births fell below the 200,000 threshold, stopping at 197,956: 13 thousand less than the same period last year. The average fertility rate has fallen to 1.13 children per woman, the lowest level ever recorded in republican history. During the world war, paradoxically, almost twice as many children were born. Istat data illustrates an unprecedented demographic crisis. And as the population ages rapidly, the number of women of childbearing age, born in the years in which the birth rate had already begun to decline, is also decreasing. A social issue, but also an economic one.
Demographic crisis in Italy: 13 thousand fewer children were born in the last year
A curve in free fall: from 2023 to 2024 births had already decreased by almost ten thousand units, but in 2025 the contraction accelerates again (-6.3%). In twelve months, over 13 thousand children have been lost, and fertility has dropped from 1.18 children per woman in 2024 to 1.13 in 2025.
Looking at the past, the numbers are impressive: in 2008 there were over 576 thousand live births, today we are at just over 360 thousand on an annual basis. In less than twenty years Italy has lost over 200 thousand birthsa third of the total.
The first child arrives later and later: in 2024 Italians became mothers for the first time at 31.9 years old, compared to 28.1 in 1995. Second children, in fact, continue to decrease: -2.9% in 2024, -1.5% for third or subsequent children. The family cycle stops at the start.
Decline in births everywhere except in the mountains: Valle d’Aosta, Bolzano and Trento are the only exceptions
The decline in births affects the whole country, but at different speeds. In the South the collapse is more marked (-7.2%), with peaks in Sardinia (-10.1%) and Abruzzo (-10.2%), regions that were once birthplaces. In the Center there was a -7.8%, while the North contained the loss to -5%. There are three exceptions, in the mountains: Valle d’Aosta (+5.5%), Bolzano (+1.9%) And Trento (+0.6%). They are the only territories where births are growing slightly. In these provinces, family policies are stronger, childcare services are widespread and work-life balance is more accessible.
In the rest of Italy, however, the system remains fragile. The average age of mothers rises to 32.6 years (33.1 for Italians), and the fertile window is reduced. Low salaries, precariousness and the absence of public nurseries have their responsibility.
An important contribution comes from foreign families, who today represent 21.8% of births: over 80 thousand children. Without them, the curve would have collapsed well below 350 thousand units. However, even among immigrant mothers, fertility is decreasing: from 2.3 children in 2010 to 1.79 in 2025. A sign that the crisis is structural and affects everyone, Italians and foreigners.
