Marital Fertility Decline in Italy

This study examines the historical decline in marital fertility in Italy between 1871 and 1991, integrating socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural perspectives. Using a balanced panel of 192 observations across 16 Italian regions, the key determinants are analyzed. The findings confirm that socioeconomic modernization, characterized by rising GDP per capita, improved life expectancy, and declining illiteracy rates, played a pivotal role in driving fertility reduction. Significant regional disparities are also identified, with northern regions experiencing earlier and steeper declines compared to southern regions. Notably, cultural factors, represented by proximity to French cultural networks, played a crucial role in accelerating the diffusion of modern reproductive behaviors. This study highlights the interaction between cultural and economic variables in demographic transitions and underscores the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding both historical and contemporary demographic changes.