Italian village welcomes first baby in nearly 30 years

This post looks at the heartwarming news from a tiny Italian village and explains why the birth of baby Lara in Pagliara dei Marsi matters far beyond her hometown.

I’ll outline the facts, put the story into the wider context of Italy’s falling birthrate, and suggest how travellers to the Italian Riviera can support fragile local communities while enjoying one of Italy’s most beloved coastlines.

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From one newborn to a national conversation

The story is simple and striking: Lara Bussi Trabucco is the first baby born in Pagliara dei Marsi in nearly 30 years, instantly raising the village’s population to about 20 and drawing attention from visitors and the press.

The infant’s parents, Cinzia Trabucco and her partner Paolo Bussi, received a €1,000 government bonus—part of broader measures designed to respond to Italy’s demographic crisis and a declining number of births.

Why a single birth became news

At nine months old, Lara has already become a small-town celebrity.

The local interest is understandable: rural and mountain hamlets across Italy are shrinking, and a newborn signals hope, continuity and the possibility of renewed life in places that risk depopulation.

International coverage — drawing on reports from The Guardian and the Associated Press — has highlighted how people who hadn’t known Pagliara dei Marsi existed showed up to visit after hearing about the baby.

This underlines how singular events can shine a spotlight on forgotten corners of Italy.

The bigger demographic picture

Italy’s birthrate has been falling steadily: annual births dropped from roughly 577,000 in 2008 to about 380,000 in 2023, the first time the figure fell below 400,000 since unification.

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Analysts point to several entrenched causes.

These include scarce affordable child care, stagnant wages, and cultural expectations that often place the burden of elder care on women—factors that create real barriers to starting and growing families.

Global echoes and local solutions

This trend is not unique to Italy; countries such as China, South Korea and Japan face similar demographic challenges.

In Italy, small bonuses and incentives—like the €1,000 payment Lara’s family received—are part of a toolbox of policy responses.

How travellers can help small Italian communities

As a travel guide writer for 30 years, I’ve seen how tourism can be both a lifeline and a threat.

Thoughtful travellers can make a genuine difference to tiny villages and coastal towns by choosing to spend and stay responsibly.

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Secure Your Italian Getaway

Consider these simple actions when planning your trip:

Stay longer: Book a night or two in smaller villages instead of just passing through.

Shop local: Buy food, wine and crafts from family-run shops and markets.

Use local guides: Hire local guides for walking tours and boat trips.

Respect traditions: Attend village festivals and patron saint days when they occur.

Support services: Eat at local trattorie and use community-run transportation when available.

Tie to the Italian Riviera

The Italian Riviera, with its coastal charm, is a place where tourism already supports many small communities.

From the port city of Genova to picture-postcard harbours such as Portofino, Santa Margherita Ligure and Rapallo, the Riviera’s towns depend on visitors for livelihoods.

Don’t miss quieter gems like Camogli, Sestri Levante and the Cinque Terre jewels—Monterosso al Mare, Vernazza, Manarola and Riomaggiore.

Gateway ports like La Spezia and the elegant Sanremo also offer unique experiences.

Choosing these destinations with care helps sustain communities and preserves the kind of small-village life celebrated by stories like Lara’s.

Here is the source article for this story: Village in Italy welcomes 1st baby in nearly 30 years: Report

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