Marital Fertility Decline in Italy

Abstract A balanced panel of 192 observations across sixteen Italian regions reveals that socioeconomic modernization—characterized by rising gdp per capita, improved life expectancy, and declining illiteracy rates—was the primary driver of fertility reduction. Regional disparities were marked, with northern regions experiencing earlier and steeper declines than those in southern regions. Cultural factors, particularly proximity to French cultural networks, accelerated the diffusion of modern reproductive behaviors. The findings highlight the interaction between cultural and economic variables in demographic transitions and underscore the importance of interdisciplinary approaches to understanding both historical and contemporary demographic changes.