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)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 58.9%. It is down slightly from 2023 (down 0.6pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 59.7%. Against the 2000s baseline (71.5%), the current TMR is lower by about 12.6pp.
Globally, Italy ranks 27 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 24 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)
In 2024, Italy’s children per mother (CPM) is 2.00. This is broadly flat versus 2023 (little change). Over the past five years, CPM has been broadly stable, averaging 2.05. Relative to the 2000s average (1.91), Italy is now higher by about 0.09.
Globally, Italy ranks 10 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 8 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)
In 2024, the average maternal age (AMA) at birth is 32.3 years. It has edged up slightly (+0.1 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 31.8 years. It is now 2.5 years higher than the 2000s average.
Globally, Italy has one of the highest average maternal ages (ranked 2/38). Within Europe, Italy has the highest average maternal age (ranked 1/31).
| 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 TFG is 43.0% in 2024 (equivalent to a TFR of 1.18). It is marginally higher than 2023 (up 1.0pp). Over the past five years, childlessness has been rising; the 2020–2024 average is 40.9%. Against the 2000s baseline (33.9%), the current rate is higher by about 9.1pp. TFG was at its lowest in the early 2020s (2020–2022), averaging 39.8%.
Globally, Italy ranks 9 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it has one of the highest TFG levels (ranked 6/31).
| 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
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2066 - Births down 75% in 2109 - Births down 90% in 2165
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 369,944 in 2024 to 184,972 in 2066, and by 90% to 36,994 in 2165 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
Italy’s TCR is 41.1% in 2024. It is marginally higher than 2023 (up 0.6pp). Looking at the last five years, the TCR has been rising (average 40.3% across 2020–2024). Relative to the 2000s average (28.5%), Italy is now higher by about 12.6pp.
Globally, Italy ranks 12 out of 38 countries. Within Europe, it ranks 8 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
In 2024, Italy recorded 369,944 total births. It is down 9,422 from 2023. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 389,284 per year. Compared with the 2000s average (561,328), total births are now lower by 191,384 births (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)
In 2024, Italy’s Birthgap Retirement Indicator (BRI) is 60.7%. It is marginally higher than 2023 (up 0.7pp). Across the most recent five-year window (2020–2024), BRI has been rising with an average of 59.2%. Against the 2000s baseline (26.9%), the current rate is higher by about 33.9pp.
Globally, Italy has one of the highest BRI values (ranked 4/35). Within Europe, Italy has the highest BRI value (ranked 1/30).
| 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.
