Italy's Birth Rate Drops to its Lowest Level in 150 Years as Economy Tanks

Italy’s birth rate has dropped to its lowest in more than 150 years amid a sluggish economy.

Fewer babies were born in Italy in 2014 than in any other year since the modern Italian state was formed in 1861, new figures have revealed.

2013 European birth rate: The number of live births last year was 509,000 – 5,000 fewer than in 2013 – rounding off half a century of decline

National statistics office ISTAT said the number of live births last year was 509,000 – 5,000 fewer than in 2013 – rounding off half a century of decline. Progressivism: A Prime... James Ostrowski Best Price: $8.99 Buy New $10.95 (as of 08:30 UTC - Details)

The number of births per 1,000 people is now at 8.4, down from 38.3 150 years ago, according to The Daily Telegraph.

Babies born to both natives and foreigners living in Italy dropped as immigration, which used to support the overall birth rate, tumbled to its lowest level for five years.

The figures have been released after the Pope branded couples who choose not have children ‘selfish’ and are part of a ‘greedy generation’, earlier this week.

The pontiff said it was a ‘depressed society’ that considered offspring to be a weight or a risk.

Pope Francis made the remarks in front of a large crowd during his weekly general audience in St Peter’s Square, Rome.

Addressing the crowd, he said life ‘rejuvenates’ when children arrive and they ‘enrich it’.

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