Italy
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Italy's total maternal rate has slightly declined to 58.9% in 2024, continuing a downward trend from the early 2000s when it was over 71%. Meanwhile, the average maternal age has risen modestly to 32.3 years, among the highest in Europe and globally. Childlessness rates are increasing, showing a gradual shift in family dynamics.
- The children per mother figure remains stable at 2.00, above the early 2000s average but close to the European average.
- Total fertility growth and total childlessness rates edged up slightly, reflecting nuanced changes in reproductive behavior.
- Total births dropped by over 9,000 compared to the previous year, reflecting ongoing demographic challenges in population replacement.
In 2024, Italy records declining births with a below-average total maternal fertility rate and an increasing average maternal age at childbirth.
- Total maternal rate low at 58.9%, ranked 24th in Europe
- Children per mother stable at 2.00, ranking 8th in Europe
- Highest average maternal age in Europe at 32.3 years
- High childlessness levels at 43%, 6th highest in Europe
- Birthgap Retirement Indicator highest in Europe, indicating aging population
Key fertility indicators — Italy
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 58.9% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 41.1% |
| Children per Mother (CPM) | 2.00 |
| Average Maternal Age (AMA) | 32.3 years |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 42.3 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 19 |
| Total births (latest year) | 369,944 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
The total maternal rate (TMR) in 2024 stands at 58.9%, showing a slight decrease of 0.6 percentage points from the 2023 figure. Over the last five years, the TMR has been on a downward trend, averaging 59.7% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the 2000s average of 71.5%, the current rate is lower by approximately 12.6 percentage points. On a global scale, Italy is positioned 27th among 38 countries, while within Europe it ranks 24th out of 31.
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 73.8% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 59.7% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 59.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 58.9%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Children per mother (CPM)
Italy's children per mother (CPM) stands at 2.00 in 2024, showing a slight decrease from 2.02 the previous year. Over the last five years, the CPM has remained relatively steady, averaging 2.05. This figure marks an increase of approximately 0.09 compared to the 2000s average of 1.91. Italy holds the 10th position out of 38 countries worldwide and ranks 8th among 31 European nations.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 1.95 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.08 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.02 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.00* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Average maternal age (AMA)
By 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at childbirth reached 32.3 years, marking a subtle increase of 0.1 years from the previous year. The trend over the last five years has shown a steady rise, with the average climbing to 31.8 years. This figure is now 2.5 years above the average recorded in the 2000s. Italy holds one of the highest average maternal ages globally, ranked 2nd out of 38 countries assessed.
Within Europe, it leads all countries with the highest average maternal age, positioned 1st among 31 nations.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.18 |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 31.41 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 32.16 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 32.30* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG)
Italy’s Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) reached 43.0% in 2024, corresponding to a total fertility rate (TFR) of 1.18. This marks a slight increase of 1.0 percentage point from 2023. Childlessness has been on the rise over the last five years, with the average between 2020 and 2024 at 40.9%. Compared to the 2000s average of 33.9%, the current figure is about 9.1 percentage points higher. The TFG dipped to its lowest point in the early 2020s, averaging 39.8% from 2020 to 2022. On the global stage, Italy ranks 9th among 38 countries, while within Europe, it holds one of the top TFG levels, ranked 6th out of 31.
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 30.5% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 39.9% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 42.0% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 43.0%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, Italy’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 42.3 years. It has decreased by 1.2 years compared with 2023. Over the past five years, SHL has been falling, averaging 44.6 years. Compared with the 2000s average (53.7 years), SHL is now shorter by about 11.4 years.
Globally, Italy ranks 29 out of 38 countries.Within Europe, it has one of the shortest SHL values (ranked 25/31).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in Italy, there would be 19 great-grandchildren, representing a -81.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, Italy ranks 9 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it has one of the highest TGI drops (ranked 6/31).
Birth trajectory
The birth rate in 2024 is projected to lead to a significant decline in total births over the coming decades. Starting from 369,944 births in 2024, the number is expected to drop by 50% to 184,972 by the year 2066. Looking further ahead, births could decline by 90%, reaching approximately 36,994 by 2165, assuming migration does not affect these figures.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Italy reaches 41.1% in 2024, showing a slight increase of 0.6 percentage points compared to 2023. Over the past five years, the rate has consistently risen, averaging 40.3% between 2020 and 2024. When compared to the average from the 2000s, which was 28.5%, the current rate is about 12.6 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries worldwide, Italy holds the 12th position in TCR, while in Europe, it ranks 8th out of 31 countries.
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 26.2% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 40.3% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 40.5% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 41.1%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Total births
Italy saw 369,944 total births in 2024, which is 9,422 fewer than in 2023. The total number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, with an average annual count of 389,284. When compared to the 2000s average of 561,328 births, the current figure represents a decline of 191,384 births, equating to a 34.1% decrease.
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 561.7k |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 404.5k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 379.4k |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 369.9k* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI)
Italy's Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) stands at 60.7% in 2024, showing a slight increase of 0.7 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years (2020–2024), the BRI has been on an upward trend, averaging 59.2%. This marks a significant rise compared to the 2000s average of 26.9%, with the current figure nearly 33.9 percentage points higher. Italy's BRI is among the highest globally, ranking 4th out of 35 countries, and it holds the top position within Europe, ranked 1st out of 30.
| Year | BRI | Year | BRI |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | 33.6% |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 58.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 60.0% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 60.7%* |
Source: Eurostat; Human Fertility Database. *Measure estimated by Birthgap.org based on partial data from istat.it.
