Italy
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
Italy continues to experience modest shifts in its demographic landscape in 2024, with a slight decline in total maternal rate and births, alongside an increase in average maternal age and childlessness. The trends reflect a gradually aging maternal population and a persistent low fertility context, consistent with long-term patterns seen in the country.
- The total maternal rate decreased slightly to 58.9%, continuing a downward trend and marking a 12.6 percentage point drop from the 2000s baseline.
- Average maternal age rose marginally to 32.3 years, maintaining Italy's position as having the highest maternal age in Europe.
- The percentage of women childless (TFG) increased to 43.0%, one of the highest levels in Europe, reflecting ongoing childbearing postponement and fewer mothers having children.
- Total births fell by over 9,000 compared to the previous year, continuing a slow decline in annual births despite a steady children per mother rate around 2.00.
In 2024, Italy's fertility and birth dynamics show continued decline in total maternal rate amid rising average maternal age and ongoing shifts in childlessness and family size patterns.
- Total maternal rate slightly down, ranking 24th in Europe
- Children per mother stable but below European average, ranked 8th
- Highest average maternal age in Europe at over 32 years
- Childlessness rate among highest in Europe, ranked 6th
- 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) reached 58.9% in 2024, reflecting a small decrease of 0.6 percentage points from the previous year. Over the last five years, the TMR has been on a downward trend, with an average of 59.7% for the period 2020–2024. When compared to the 2000s average of 71.5%, the current rate is approximately 12.6 percentage points lower. Italy ranks 27th among 38 countries worldwide and 24th out of 31 European nations in this measure.
| 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) stood at 2.00 in 2024, showing minimal change from the 2.02 recorded in 2023. Across the last five years, the CPM has remained fairly steady, averaging around 2.05. When compared to the 2000s average of 1.91, this represents an increase of approximately 0.09. On the global stage, Italy is positioned 10th among 38 countries, while in Europe, it ranks 8th out of 31.
| 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)
The average maternal age (AMA) at birth has reached 32.3 years in 2024, marking a modest increase of 0.1 years from the previous year. This upward trend has been consistent over the last five years, with the average AMA during that period standing at 31.8 years. When compared with the 2000s average, the current AMA is 2.5 years higher. Italy ranks notably high on the global stage, holding the 2nd position out of 38 countries in average maternal age.
Within Europe, this figure tops the list, making Italy the country with the highest average maternal age among 31 European 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)
In 2024, Italy’s Birthgap Generational Indicator (TFG) stands at 43.0% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.18), showing a slight increase of 1.0 percentage points from 2023. Childlessness has been on the rise over the last five years, with the average from 2020 to 2024 reaching 40.9%. This reflects a notable increase of approximately 9.1 percentage points compared to the 2000s average of 33.9%. The lowest TFG levels were recorded in the early 2020s (2020–2022), averaging 39.8%. On the global stage, Italy ranks 9th out of 38 countries, while within Europe it is among the highest, holding the 6th position out of 31 countries.
| 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 2024 birth pattern suggests a significant decline in total births over the coming decades if migration is not considered. Births are expected to drop from 369,944 in 2024 to half that number, 184,972, by 2066. Further reductions would see a 75% decrease by 2109 and an alarming 90% decline by 2165, bringing births down to just 36,994.
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The childlessness rate (TCR) in Italy reached 41.1% in 2024, showing a slight increase of 0.6 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years, this rate has been on the rise, averaging 40.3% between 2020 and 2024. Compared to the average in the 2000s, which was 28.5%, the current figure is about 12.6 percentage points higher. Among 38 countries globally, Italy holds the 12th position for childlessness, while within Europe, it ranks 8th out of 31.
| 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, marking a decrease of 9,422 from the previous year. The number of births has been on a downward trend over the last five years, averaging 389,284 annually. This figure represents a significant drop compared to the 2000s average of 561,328, with births falling by 191,384, or 34.1%.
| 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) reached 60.7% in 2024, showing a slight increase of 0.7 percentage points from 2023. Over the past five years (2020–2024), the BRI has been on an upward trend, averaging 59.2%. This represents a significant rise compared to the 2000s average of 26.9%, with a difference of approximately 33.9 percentage points. Currently, Italy ranks fourth globally among 35 countries in terms of BRI and holds the top position in Europe out of 30 nations.
| 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.
