Italy's Baby Decline: A Looming Crisis for Small Towns

With an aging population and falling birth rates, Italy's villages are at risk of depopulation. Mayors like Giacomo de Luca in Fregona are taking measures to encourage families to stay, but challenges like childcare access and economic pressure remain significant hurdles.

Winding through the charming streets of Fregona, Italy, Mayor Giacomo de Luca points out recent closures: a barbershop, two supermarkets, and several restaurants now languishing behind drawn shutters. This picturesque town at the foothills of the mountains is experiencing the same painful trend affecting many rural areas in Italy—residents moving away, and a dramatic decline in births.

At the heart of this issue lies a pressing concern: the local primary school is in jeopardy of shutting down as the number of students dwindles. "We can't proceed with the new Year One class because we're down to just four children," explains de Luca, who fears that if the school closes, families will relocate elsewhere and never return. In the past decade, Fregona's population has decreased by nearly a fifth, and among its remaining 2,700 residents, a significant portion are older adults.

As de Luca frantically tours nearby neighborhoods and even a local pizza factory, his plea to families revolves around keeping the school open through incentives such as free transport and extended hours provided by the council. "I worry that if this trend continues, our village will cease to exist," he emphasizes.

The demographic crisis plaguing Fregona is echoed across Italy, where the population has dwindled by approximately 1.9 million over the last decade. Women are now having an average of just 1.18 children, far below the EU standard of 1.38—let alone the 2.1 needed for population sustainability. Despite efforts from Giorgia Meloni's right-wing government to promote family-friendly policies, the nation grapples with a stubborn birthrate decline.

In Fregona's main square, Valentina Dottor shares the challenges many parents face. Although she receives a small monthly allowance for her baby Diletta, accessing affordable childcare remains a formidable obstacle. "We have limited spots available, and working parents are wary of raising children amidst these difficulties," she notes. Valentina's friends feel similarly daunted by the costs and restrictions associated with parenthood, expressing concern that existing government aid is insufficient.

In the face of such uncertainty, some companies in the Veneto region are taking proactive steps. Not far from Fregona, an industrial estate has initiated a creche, providing discounted childcare for employees. Melania Sandrin, a finance executive at Irinox, attests that proximity to her son’s daycare significantly eased her return to work, indicating that convenient childcare options are critical to retaining a workforce.

Head of Irinox, Katia da Ros, asserts, "Italy requires substantial changes to address our demographic complications. Cash incentives alone are not enough; comprehensive services like free kindergartens are necessary.” Additionally, she acknowledges that increasing immigration may be essential to bolster the workforce, a controversial topic for the current government.

Just last month, a nearby primary school in Treviso closed its doors permanently due to insufficient enrollment. This poignant event was commemorated with a solemn ceremony, reflecting the stark realities of declining birthrates and shifting demographics. Local parents, like Eleanora Franceschi, emphasize the need for practical support, including accessible services like summer camps.

As Italy faces predictions of a population drop of five million by 2050, the government’s measures to resolve the crisis appear inadequate. Many, like Eleanora, argue that effective solutions require comprehensive support for families, not just monetary assistance. The question remains: without more substantial help, how can Italy expect to reverse its declining birthrate?