Italy’s Birth Rate Set to Hit Record Low in 2026 Amid Demographic Crisis

Italy is expected to record another historic low in births in 2026, deepening its ongoing demographic crisis, according to national statistics bureau ISTAT. The country recorded 355,772 births in 2025, the lowest figure since Italian unification in 1861, marking the 17th consecutive year of decline.

The downward trend continued in the first seven months of 2026, with just under 197,000 babies born, a 1.1% decrease compared with the same period last year. Italy’s fertility rate also fell slightly to 1.13 children per woman, compared with 1.14 in 2025. Despite government efforts to address the issue, the declining birth rate remains a major national concern.

In 2025, the average age of women having their first child was 32, while 44.1% of babies were born to unmarried parents, up from 43.2% the previous year. Sofia was the most popular name for girls, while Leonardo topped the list for boys. The continuing decline in births highlights Italy’s demographic challenges and the difficulties in reversing the trend.

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