Overview

• Italy's fertility rate has remained below replacement levels for over a century, with trends worsening across generations.
• The share of women without children doubled from 13% (1958 cohort) to 26% (1983 cohort), with rates nearing 30% in southern regions.
• The average age of first-time mothers rose from 25.9 years (1960 cohort) to 29.1 years (1970 cohort), further delaying family formation.
• Unmarried rates among women aged 40 climbed from 12.1% (1933 cohort) to 42.2% (1983 cohort), reflecting societal shifts in marriage and family norms.
• Territorial disparities persist, with internal and southern regions facing compounded challenges of aging, depopulation, and youth emigration.