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04.12.2024 – WORK, INAPP PLUS REPORT: “FOR FOUR OUT OF TEN WOMEN, THE FIRST MATERNITY IS A CAREER OBSTACLE”
Only 22.3% intend to have a child within the next three years
Rome, 4 December 2024 – According to the INAPP PLUS Report 2023, 39.6% of women without children (aged 18 to 49) view maternity as a barrier – if not a threat – to staying in or entering the labour market (compared to 27.4% of men). Among younger women, this concern grows even more significant: half (49.9%) of those aged 18 to 24 perceive becoming a mother as a disadvantage for their career. The trend remains similar for mothers with at least one child: 30.5% believe an additional pregnancy would limit their job opportunities (compared to just 12.1% of fathers).
This is one of many findings highlighted in the PLUS Report 2023 by INAPP (National Institute for Public Policies Analysis). The report is based on data from the tenth edition of the PLUS Survey, conducted on a sample of 45,000 individuals. The eleventh edition was launched in October. The analyses confirm that plans to have children are often influenced by external constraints. Pregnancy and childbirth are frequently seen as factors that could jeopardise careers or job prospects, especially for young people, women, and job seekers.
More broadly, the data underlines the prevalent pessimism regarding the population’s reproductive plans over the next three years. Just over one in ten parents aged 18 to 49 anticipates having another child (11.1% of fathers and 12.5% of mothers). The outlook is even grimmer for those without children: only 17.5% of men and 22.3% of women consider having a child in the next three years. Additionally, more than half of job-seeking youth aged 18 to 29 believe that having a child would hinder their entry into the workforce (53.4%), further contributing to Italy’s trend of delaying first-time parenthood beyond the age of 30.
“The birth of a child,” the report states, “is seen by women as an event that could disproportionately harm their career prospects and job opportunities compared to men. The benefits of having at least one child do not seem to outweigh the costs, not only in economic terms but also in terms of time, limitations, and sacrifices. Furthermore, women are more likely to leave the labour market after the birth of their first child due to ongoing challenges in balancing work and family life, particularly among those with lower educational attainment.”
“Family choices, closely tied to demographic decline, represent one of our country’s structural vulnerabilities,” stated Natale Forlani, President of INAPP. “It is crucial to overcome the perceived conflict between maternity and work through integrated policies that strengthen the labour market, services, and welfare system while supporting parenthood and caregiving. The new PLUS Survey will be a valuable opportunity to further explore these issues.”
For more information:
Presidency – Tel: 0685447700
Email: [email protected]
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