Copyright Newsweek
Pope Leo XIV has called for a "concerted effort to promote choices at all levels in favor of the family" amid falling birth rates. Why it Matters The American Pope’s recent plea to confront declining birth rates in Europe comes amid a mounting demographic crisis that threatens the region’s economic stability, social systems, and generational continuity. As Italy and other European nations register historic lows in births, governments grapple with the consequences: aging populations and fewer working-age individuals to support state programs and economic growth. These demographic shifts could challenge the viability of public health, pension systems, and the broader social fabric, not just in Europe but globally as countries worldwide experience similar trends. Newsweek has broken down the dangers of an aging population here. The issue has taken center stage in policy discussions, with leaders and researchers urging comprehensive action to address the root causes behind diminishing birth rates and the strain on families. What To Know During his first official visit with Italian President Sergio Mattarella on October 14, Pope Leo addressed what he described as a troubling decline in birth rates across Europe, specifically highlighting Italy’s ongoing population crisis. He said: "In recent decades, we have witnessed in Europe as we have seen a notable decline in the birth rate. This calls for a concerted effort to promote choices at all levels in favor of the family, supporting its efforts, promoting its values, and protecting its needs and rights." According to the European Union’s latest data, the continent’s total fertility rate dropped to 1.38 live births per woman in 2023, falling further below the replacement benchmark of 2.1 needed to sustain population levels. The Italian government, led by Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, has launched initiatives including tax breaks, extended parental leave, and financial incentives to encourage larger families. This demographic trend is not limited to Europe. Birth rates are declining worldwide. In the U.S, the fertility rate is expected to average 1.6 births per woman over the next three decades, well below the replacement rate, according to the Congressional Budget Office. The birth rate decline is a complex topic with no single cause but major cultural shifts and financial challenges in the aftermath of the 2008 crash are usually cited as the reasons—Newsweek has broken down the main causes being discussed in detail here. People’s move away from religion toward secularization is seen by some as contributing to the decline. What People Are Saying Pope Leo XIV, in his remarks, emphasized the centrality of family said: “’Father,’ ‘mother,’ ‘son,’ ‘daughter,’ ‘grandfather,’ ‘grandmother’—these are words that in Italian tradition naturally express and evoke sentiments of love, respect, and dedication—sometimes heroic—for the good of the family, community, and therefore for that of society as a whole." UNFPA Executive Director Dr. Natalia Kanem previously said: "Reproductive agency is more than just freedom from coercion or improved access to services; it is the full range of conditions that enable people to exercise their reproductive rights and ensure true choice, including gender equality, economic stability, decent health, and confidence in the future" In July, Vice President JD Vance said: "We failed a generation not only by permitting a culture of abortion on demand but also by neglecting to help young parents achieve the ingredients they need to lead a happy and meaningful life. Our society has failed to recognize the obligation that one generation has to another as a core part of living in a society. So let me say very simply, I want more babies in the United States of America." What Happens Next Pope Leo’s intervention is expected to energize debate within Europe about how best to support families and address population decline. Italian leaders and the Vatican are likely to advocate for further government and civil society measures designed to foster family life, improve gender equality, and create economic and labor conditions favorable to raising children. Policy proposals under discussion at the European and national levels include expanded parental leave, subsidized child care, improvements in work-life balance, and broader financial incentives. Experts acknowledge, however, that reversing the declining birth rate is complex with "no easy fixes," as Melissa Schettini Kearney, an economist from the University of Notre Dame in Indiana, and Phillip B. Levine, an economist from Wellesley College in Massachusetts, said in a previous study. "Policies like parental leave, child care subsidies, baby bonuses, etc., are much easier to implement and have the potential to affect fertility more rapidly, if they were effective," Levine told Newsweek. "Changing the social conditions that encourage family formation is more difficult and takes longer to accomplish.
