First birth recorded in an Italian village in 30 years

For the first time in the past thirty years, a baby has been born in one of Italy’s villages. The birth of a baby girl named Lara in the village of Pescara dei Marsi, located in the Abruzzo region at the foot of the Apennine Mountains, has once again drawn attention to the country’s deepening demographic crisis.

In this ancient village on the slopes of Mount Garifalco, there are now more cats than people. They freely roam the narrow streets, and their sounds, according to The Guardian journalist Angela Giuffrida, seem to fill the silence created by decades of population decline.

Lara Bussi Trabucchi is the first child born in the village in 30 years. Following her birth, the population of Pescara dei Marsi has reached approximately 20 people. The entire local community attended her baptism at the village church — residents even say the cats were witnesses to the event.

The birth was such a rare occurrence that Lara has already become a point of interest for tourists. “People who had never even heard of this village before are now coming here just because of Lara,” says her mother, Cinzia Trabucchi. Although the baby is only nine months old, she has already gained nationwide attention.

Journalist Angela Giuffrida notes that Lara’s birth represents both a symbol of hope and a warning about Italy’s demographic challenges. According to Italy’s National Institute of Statistics, the number of births in 2024 fell to a 16-year low of 369,944. The fertility rate dropped to an average of 1.18 children per woman — one of the lowest figures in the European Union.

Experts attribute the decline to a lack of job opportunities, increasing emigration among young people, insufficient support for working mothers, and a rise in male infertility. Additionally, more Italians are consciously choosing not to have children.

Preliminary data for the first seven months of 2025 indicate a further decline in births. In the Abruzzo region, the number of births fell by 10.2 percent compared to the same period in 2024.

Although small, Pescara dei Marsi clearly reflects Italy’s broader situation: an ageing population, closed schools, and an uncertain future.

After Lara’s birth, her parents received a one-off “child bonus” of €1,000, introduced in January 2025 for every newborn or adopted child. The family also receives around €370 per month in child benefits. However, as The Guardian reports, the main challenge remains balancing childcare with employment.

Lara’s parents are also concerned about her future education. The village school closed decades ago, and the long-term viability of nearby educational institutions remains uncertain. Nevertheless, local residents view Lara as a symbol of hope and new life.

Aziza Shukhratova

Editor of «ZAMIN.UZ»