Baby Lara Bussi Trabucco is the first child born in the village in nearly three decades, and her arrival has sparked a glimmer of optimism in Pagliara dei Marsi. As the newest addition, she brings the population to 20. Her baptism in the church across from her home was a major affair, attended by the whole community, as reported by The Guardian.
Lara’s parents, Cinzia Trabucco and Paolo Bussi, received a €1,000 ‘baby bonus’ following her arrival, a one-time payment for each child born or adopted. Additionally, the couple is entitled to a child benefit of approximately €370 each month.
“People who weren’t even aware of Pagliara dei Marsi have come, simply because they heard about Lara. At just nine months, she’s a sensation,” her mother, Cinzia, remarked.
While Lara’s arrival symbolizes hope, it also highlights the serious demographic challenges Italy faces.
By 2025, births had fallen to a record low of 369,944 across the country. The fertility rate also reached an unprecedented low, averaging 1.18 children per woman of childbearing age in 2024, positioning Italy among the lowest in the EU.
Factors contributing to this trend include job instability, a significant outflow of young people, inadequate support for working mothers, and increasing male infertility. Furthermore, a growing number of individuals are choosing to forgo parenthood altogether.
Pagliara dei Marsi, although a small village, represents a larger pattern characterized by aging populations and deserted schools, creating pressure on public finances and posing significant economic and social challenges for local, regional, and national authorities.
“Pagliara dei Marsi has been experiencing severe depopulation, worsened by the loss of many elderly residents without any generational replacement,” stated Giuseppina Perozzi, the local mayor.
Balancing work and childcare is a considerable challenge here. Italy’s childcare infrastructure is insufficient, and Meloni’s administration has yet to fulfill its commitment to expand nursery facilities. Pregnant women frequently have to resign from their jobs and later face difficulties re-entering the workforce.
Concerns arise for Lara’s future education. The village hasn’t had a teacher in several decades. Although there is an infant and primary school in the nearby town of Castellafiume, the viability of keeping it open amidst Italy’s numerous school closures due to declining birthrates is uncertain.
Trabucco believes that financial incentives alone won’t reverse the trend. “We need a complete overhaul of the system. We are a nation with high taxes, yet this doesn’t translate into a good quality of life or effective social services,” she commented.
As Italy confronts its demographic winter, experts are calling on policymakers to tackle the underlying causes of the decline, including fostering fertility and offering support for families.
Ornella La Civita, a city councillor, remarked that while financial incentives to boost births are appreciated, ‘how can you provide money to women for having babies but not ensure they have a safe and secure environment for childbirth?’”
According to gynaecologist Gianluca Di Luigi, “Ideological obstacles in Italy have always hindered progress. If we want to see more newborns, we need to embrace enlightenment – yes, afford young people dignified jobs, but also educate them on the importance of preserving fertility.”
