Immigration: entries into France are expected to decline in 2024 and return to their pre-pandemic levels.

After several years marked by the Covid-19 pandemic and then by the consequences of the war in Ukraine, migration flows to France are gradually returning to a level closer to that observed before 2020. In a study published on June 4, 2026, INSEE indicates that 438.000 people settled in France in 2024 for a period of at least one year, a decrease of 6% compared to 2023.

Among these new arrivals are 313.000 immigrants born abroad, as well as 85.000 people born in France returning to the country and 40.000 people born abroad with French citizenship. After the exceptionally high levels recorded in 2022 and 2023, linked in particular to the reception of Ukrainian refugees, entries have now returned to a level close to that of 2019, before the health crisis.

Population growth driven by migration

The French National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) emphasizes that the role of migration in French demographic trends has never been more significant than in recent years. Between January 1, 2022, and January 1, 2023, the French population increased by 322.000 inhabitants. Of this total, 271.000 people came from net migration, compared to only 51.000 due to natural increase, that is, the excess of births over deaths.

The net migration of immigrants reached a historically high level in 2022, with an additional 348.000 people. This increase is mainly due to the arrival of Ukrainian refugees following the Russian invasion, as well as the resumption of migration flows that had been slowed during the pandemic. At the same time, the net migration of non-immigrants turned negative again, with more French citizens or people born in France leaving the country than returning.

Young immigrants, often with degrees

The profile of new arrivals remains marked by a strong presence of young adults. Half of the immigrants who entered France in 2024 were between 18 and 36 years old. People from sub-Saharan Africa are particularly young, with a median age of 23, while new arrivals from Europe have a slightly higher average age.

The study also highlights a relatively high level of education. Among immigrants aged 25 and over who arrived in France in 2024, 51% hold a higher education degree. This proportion even reaches 75% among non-immigrants returning to or settling in France. According to INSEE, this phenomenon is partly explained by the fact that migrants often come from the most highly educated social classes in their countries of origin.

Immigration largely through family ties

Immigration to France remains predominantly family-based. More than half of immigrants arriving in 2024 live with a family, and 57% of adults live as couples. Women more frequently join a partner already established in France, while men are more likely to immigrate with their partner.

Children also represent a significant proportion of arrivals. Approximately 69.000 immigrant children arrived in France in 2024. According to INSEE, 43% of them joined a parent already established in the country, illustrating the importance of family reunification in current migration flows.

Entry rates are down in all regions of the world

Immigrants arriving in 2024 came primarily from Africa, accounting for 144.000 entries, followed by Europe with 83.000 and Asia with 57.000 new arrivals. However, all major geographic regions recorded a decline in arrivals compared to 2023. The decrease was particularly pronounced for European nationals, especially those from countries outside the European Union.

For INSEE, these figures reflect a gradual return to a situation closer to the trends observed before the successive crises of the early 2020s. While migration flows remain high, they are now entering a phase of normalization after the upheavals caused by the pandemic and the war in Ukraine.