A structural plan to boost birth rates and support Italian SMEs
Italy’s demographic crisis: a systemic issue
With just 379,000 births in 2023, Italy reached its lowest level since national unification. Beyond being a social concern, this threatens the sustainability of the economic and pension system. Fertility is stuck at 1.20 children per woman, far from the 2.1 needed for generational turnover.
This means fewer workers, weaker domestic demand, and growing pension costs—a vicious circle that undermines Italy’s long-term growth.
Unimpresa’s plan: a two-tier welfare model
To tackle this challenge, Marco Massarenti, national councillor of Unimpresa, proposes a joint welfare systemcombining State and businesses.
It would include:
- Universal public support for low-income families, covering healthcare and education costs.
- Tailored corporate welfare, fiscally incentivized, enabling SMEs to offer childcare, school fee reimbursements, and health agreements.
“Corporate welfare is not a cost, but an investment,” says Massarenti, “that supports families, retains employees, and strengthens competitiveness.”
Bridging the gap between big firms and SMEs
Currently, only 21.8% of micro-enterprises offer welfare tools, compared to 76.5% of large companies. This gap limits opportunities for millions of workers and hinders SMEs from competing on equal terms.
Unimpresa’s plan aims to level the playing field, empowering SMEs while strengthening Italy’s economic fabric.
Families under growing pressure
Raising a child in Italy costs between €150,000 and €200,000, with healthcare and education being major burdens. Child poverty affects nearly one in four children (24.8%).
The shortage of childcare facilities is another obstacle: national coverage is just 27.2%, dropping to 12.8% in Southern Italy, forcing many mothers to quit work.
A structural solution, not temporary fixes
Italy spends only 1.8% of GDP on family support, below the EU average of 2.3%. Unimpresa’s proposal calls for a long-term strategy, where State and businesses share responsibility for boosting birth rates.
“Temporary bonuses are not enough,” notes Massarenti, “we need a clear and advantageous fiscal framework that allows SMEs to invest in employee welfare and family well-being.”