Italy Village Celebrates First Baby in 30 Years Amidst Demographic Crisis

• Pagliara dei Marsi, a remote Italian village, welcomed Lara Bussi Trabucco, its first baby in nearly 30 years, bringing its population to about 20.
• The rare birth highlights Italy's severe demographic challenge, with a historic low of 369,944 births in 2024 and a fertility rate of 1.18.
• The Abruzzo region, where Pagliara dei Marsi is located, saw a 10.2% drop in births in early 2025, reflecting a wider national trend of aging communities.
• Parents Cinzia Trabucco and Paolo Bussi received a €1,000 "baby bonus" and monthly child benefit, part of government efforts to counter the "demographic winter."
• Challenges remain, including insufficient childcare support, uncertain school futures for children like Lara, and potential closure of maternity units due to low birth numbers.

Why It Matters: A rare birth in an Italian village underscores Italy's deep demographic crisis and need for systemic change.