Italy, increasingly late maternity rates: average age at childbirth exceeds 33 and the use of cesarean sections is on the rise.

ROME – The average age of Italian women at childbirth continues to rise, reaching 33,4 years in 2025, up from 33,3 the previous year. Foreign women, however, give birth at an average age of 31,4. These data emerge from the Report on Births in Italy, published by the Ministry of Health, which analyzes the demographic and health dynamics related to motherhood in our country.

Of particular note is the widespread use of cesarean sections, which accounted for 29,8% of births in 2025, confirming a trend that has consolidated in recent years. However, the report highlights significant regional disparities: Campania is the region with the highest cesarean rate, at 43,7%, followed by Sicily, Sardinia, and Lazio. Conversely, northern regions such as Tuscany have much lower rates, around 16,2%.

The document also highlights a significant difference between public and private facilities: 44,9% of births in accredited nursing homes are by cesarean section, compared to 28,4% in public hospitals. Despite this, the report highlights a recent trend toward a reduction in cesarean sections, in line with maternal and newborn safety guidelines.

Regarding birthplaces, in 2025, 91,3% of births were recorded in public hospitals or similar facilities, a slight increase from 90,7% in 2024. Furthermore, 20,7% of births involved foreign mothers. In almost 95% of cases, the father was present at the time of birth, with the exception of cesarean sections.

Finally, the report notes a stillbirth rate of 2,20 per 1.000 live births, with 784 stillbirths recorded in 2025. Most pregnancies (93,8%) involve more than four obstetric visits, while 76,9% of pregnant women have fewer than three visits during pregnancy, indicating potential room for improvement in prenatal care.