January 1 2025, France counted 68,6 millions of inhabitants, according to figures released by INSEE. This figure marks a slight increase of 0,25% compared to the previous year, a net increase of only 170.000 people. However, this demographic growth is slowed by two major phenomena, the decline in births and the increase in deaths.
Number of births recorded in 2024 actually amounts to 663.000, which constitutes the lowest figure in 80 years. This trend is part of a context of demographic aging, declining fertility, and perhaps other economic and social factors that influence decisions to have children.
At the same time, the number of death has progressed to reach 646.000 in 2024. This increase is explained by the aging of the population, accentuated by the arrival of the baby boom generations at advanced ages. Epidemic waves and extreme climatic conditions may also have played a role in this trend.
Le natural balance, or the difference between births and deaths, is only +17.000 peopleThis is a historically low level for France, which is increasingly relying on migratory movements to maintain its demographic growth.
