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Italy's births set to sink to a record low in 2026
On Wednesday, national statistics bureau ISTAT reported Italy is set for a record low number of births in 2026, further aggravating the country's demographic crisis.
Italy's long-declining birth rate is considered a national emergency, with 2025 recording just 355,772 births—the lowest figure since Italian unification in 1861. The decline has persisted for 17 consecutive years.
During the first seven months of 2026, just under 197,000 newborns were recorded, down 1.1% from the same period in 2025, while the fertility rate edged down to 1.13 from 1.14.
Demographic shifts show 44.1% of children were born to unmarried parents in 2025, up from 43.2% the year before, while Sofia and Leonardo were the most popular names for newborns.
Despite Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and her predecessors' pledges to confront the issue, no one has been able to halt the drop. The persistent decline remains a significant challenge for Italy's government.
The Italian demographic crisis continues to worsen. In 2025 355,772 children were born, about 14 thousand less than in the previous year, with a decrease of 3.8%. And also the first data...
In Italy, it is expected that the number of newborns will be further reduced to a historical minimum this year, exacerbating the country ' s demographic crisis, and reported to the National Statistical Office (ISTAT) on Wednesday.