For the first time in the last 30 years, a baby was born in a small village in Italy. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
In the village of Palyara-dei-Marsi, located at the foot of the Apennine Mountains in the Abruzzo region, a girl named Lara was born, bringing the ongoing demographic crisis in the country back to the agenda. Due to the population decline in this village at the foot of Mount Garifalko, the number of cats has surpassed that of people.
The cats roaming the narrow streets seem to fill the village's silence. According to Angela Jufrida, a journalist from The Guardian, this place had been peaceful and quiet for many years.
However, Lara's birth has brought a unique novelty to village life. Lara Bussi Trabukko became the first baby born in this village in the last 30 years.
With her birth, the village population reached 20. The baby's baptism ceremony was held in the village church, and the entire neighborhood participated in the event.
The local residents welcomed this event with great joy. Lara's birth became not only a symbol of hope but also a serious warning about the demographic crisis in Italy.
Birth rates in the country have sharply declined in recent years. In 2024, the number of births in Italy slightly exceeded 369,000, reaching the lowest level in the last 16 years.
On average, each woman has 1.18 children, which is one of the lowest rates in the European Union. Experts explain this situation by the lack of job opportunities, youth migration, insufficient conditions for mothers, and increasing infertility among men.
Additionally, the number of people consciously choosing not to have children is also increasing in Italy. Birth rates continued to decline during the first seven months of 2025.
Specifically, in the Abruzzo region, this indicator decreased by more than 10 percent. Small villages like Palyara-dei-Marsi have become clear examples of this problem.
The population is aging, schools are closing, and the future remains uncertain. Lara's parents receive a one-time reward of 1,000 euros and a monthly child allowance of 370 euros for the birth of their daughter.
However, the main issue—balancing child-rearing and work—remains pressing. Moreover, the village school has already closed, and it is unclear how long educational institutions in nearby towns will continue to operate.
Nevertheless, the villagers regard Lara as a symbol of new life and hope. She has become a symbol that encourages thinking about the future.
