In Genoa, Aging Italians Outnumber Children

In Genoa, the birthrate is 7.7 births per 1,000 people, which is about half the death rate, 13.7 per 1,000. The Italian government has tried to reverse the trend with cash payments for births, but fertility rates have not increased. "Children are no longer playing in the streets here, nor are there many family-friendly restaurants. Schools have closed for lack of students. Hospitals are overburdened with the elderly. Medical costs are straining the government. Furthermore, the fewer the children in a society, the fewer there are likely to be in the future."

Some view children as an economic liability: "Kids are not important," said Nazarena Lanza, age 27. "The priority has to be to have a steady job and make a living, to give yourself some security."

As native Italians choose to remain childless, immigrant families continue to have children, causing some resentment. "Yes, immigrants make up the difference, but in some ways it's not fair," said Silvia Baghino, whose two children were playing in an empty playground. "They get free services like nurseries, and we have to pay privately."