Italy debates reproductive health measures to combat declining birth rates

In Italy, political and medical organizations are proposing new measures to address declining birth rates and reproductive health. Matteo Renzi, leader of Italia Viva, has proposed allocating 100 million euros in the next budget law to make egg freezing free for women and to raise the age limit for the procedure from 35 to 38 years. Renzi framed the proposal as a matter of “social justice,” allowing women to pursue professional stability without being limited by biological constraints, though he noted that egg freezing alone cannot solve the broader issue of low birth rates.

Simultaneously, the Associazione Italiana Fertilità (AIFe) presented the “Fertility Manifesto 2030” to the Chamber of Deputies. The manifesto calls for treating reproductive health as a public health priority rather than an ideological issue. Highlighting that Italy saw nearly 10,000 fewer births in 2024 compared to the previous year, AIFe advocates for increased awareness, early diagnosis of conditions like endometriosis, and better access to social freezing. The goal is to provide women with more informed choices regarding the timing of pregnancy in relation to their careers and economic stability.