(Finance) – “The data recently published by Istat on the main demographic indicators of the year 2024 highlight an alarming reality: the drop in births and fertility in Italy has achieved historically low levels. This phenomenon, which is consolidating over time, raises crucial questions for the future of our country”. This is what notes Filomena Maggino, ordinary of social statistics at the La Sapienza University of Rome and coordinator of the Department of Statistics ofObservatory of birth and life (ONV).
Second Maggino Several factors intertwine in this decline process. “In the first place, – underlines the teacher – the increase in life expectancy, unfortunately, is not accompanied by a parallel improvement of health expectation of life in good health. The data show that although the Italians live longer, the quality of this life, in particular the reproductive one, remains insufficient, with a direct impact on the life behaviors and the health of the younger generations. The fertility between immigrants, often considered a possible solution to the demographic crisis, has produced the same models, reproductive of the Italian population “.
Maggino also emphasizes that many immigrants arrive as individual individuals and cannot build stable families with children, contrary to what was hoped. In addition, the economic precariousness, the insufficiency of wages and the drop in purchasing power They make it difficult, if not impossible, the realization of long -term family projects. “The inability to plan the future, also highlighted by Istat himself, – he continues Maggino – It has become a daily reality for many Italian families. But the challenge does not only concern the economic situation. The deep distrust in political and social institutions contributes to an atmosphere of uncertainty, which undermines the hope of the new generations. The growing tendency to individualism, associated with the transformation of social and family values, has created a ‘monadic’ model in which self -sufficiency and freedom from family structures prevails. Although this is seen as a form of freedom, it is often the result of fear and uncertainty, and not a conscious choice. In addition, the dominant culture, also fueled by the theories of gender and by the change in family values, confused the younger generations, weakening the sense of social and cultural identity. It cannot even be overlooked The impact of the ‘psychology of fear’ generated by economic, health, environmental and geopolitical crises, which prevents people from looking to the future with hope, making it difficult to imagine a life that includes children as part of a positive project “.
To reverse this trend, Maggino highlights the need to reconstruct trust in political and social institutions and create an environment that supports the younger generations. “Targeted policies – Maggino concludes – that place the protection of the family at the center, the recovery of identity and psychological well -being are essential to encourage a demographic rebirth. Only through a collective commitment will it be possible to return to future generations the hope of a future in which the family can be a positive and achievable life project”.