Maria Regina Maroncelli, president of the European Large Families Confederation (ELFAC), urged European nations to embrace large families as a solution to the continent’s deepening demographic decline.
Speaking at the International Family Forum in Istanbul on 23 May 2025, she warned that shrinking birth rates and ageing populations pose an existential threat to social and economic stability.
Maroncelli stressed that families with three or more children—now just 3% of Europe’s population—are often marginalised despite their potential to reverse demographic trends.
Large families are often left without social support and sometimes even stigmatised. Yet they could be a key solution to the demographic crisis and carry a vital responsibility for the future of society.
ELFAC, which unites family associations across 22 European countries, has observed rapid population declines in cities and rural areas alike. To combat this, Maroncelli highlighted the creation of a “family-friendly municipalities” network, with 160 local governments from 10 countries adopting policies such as subsidised childcare, housing incentives, and tax breaks for larger families.
While acknowledging Turkey’s current demographic resilience, Maroncelli cautioned that it could face similar challenges without proactive measures. She called for unwavering commitment from local governments, stating that cities must succeed in implementing family policies.
The remarks come as Europe’s fertility rate stagnates at 1.5 children per woman, far below the 2.1 needed for population replacement, amid rising living costs and inadequate parental support systems.
Maroncelli’s appeal aligns with broader EU efforts to address labour shortages and pension crises linked to ageing populations. For now, ELFAC’s network offers a blueprint for reversing Europe’s demographic freefall, one municipality at a time.
