Italy, grappling with a significant population decline for years, recorded its lowest number of births ever in 2023, according to figures released on Friday by the Italian National Institute of Statistics (ISTAT).
Preliminary data indicates that the country saw the birth of only about 379,000 babies last year, marking another record low and the eleventh consecutive year of decline since 2013. This contrasts with around 557,000 births registered in 2008.
While birth rates fluctuated in the following years, they have seen a sharp decline since 2013. Since the inception of registration following Italy’s unification in the 19th century, there has never been such a low number of births as in recent years.
The figures, which reached about 393,000 in 2022, already raised concerns, marking the first time births fell below the 400,000 threshold since registration began.
In 2023, Italy, with a population of 58.99 million, witnessed the birth of six children for every 11 deaths.
ISTAT stated that nearly one in four Italians is over the age of 65, with an increasing number of individuals over 80 years old surpassing those under 10 years old for the first time, highlighting the country’s rapid aging population.
At the same time, 22,500 individuals over the age of 100 were registered.
