Never since 1946 had French men and women had so few children. Here is one of the main lessons to be learned from the INSEE demographic report presented on Monday 16 January.
Every year, the National Institute of Statistics reports on the evolution of French demography. At 1um January 2024, France has 68.4 million inhabitants, with a population increase of 0.3% compared to last year. But this increase in population is offset by a decline in fertility and birth rates in the country.
Fewer births but just as many marriages
In 2023, 678,000 births were recorded. This is 6.6% less than the previous year and almost 20% less than 2010, the year of the last peak in births.
This decline in the birth rate is accompanied by a “collapse” fertility in one year. While in 2022 the total fertility rate (TFR) was 1.79 children per woman, in 2023 it is now set at 1.68 children.
Noteworthy fact: The decline in fertility affects women of all age groups, including those aged 30 or older. Until the Covid-19 crisis, “the latter were not affected, or were only slightly affected, by the decline in fertility”. Women also continue to have children later than older people: 31.0 years for a first pregnancy, compared to 29.5 years twenty years ago.
As for the number of deaths, in 2023 it amounts to 631,000 people, a sharp decrease compared to 2022.
The number of marriages remains stable, with 242,000 celebrations last year and 210,000 civil unions stipulated. A stable figure for several years.
Finally, our life expectancy continues to increase: 85.7 years for women and 80.0 years for men – a first for the latter.
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Source: Madmoizelle
Mary Crossley is an author at “The Fashion Vibes”. She is a seasoned journalist who is dedicated to delivering the latest news to her readers. With a keen sense of what’s important, Mary covers a wide range of topics, from politics to lifestyle and everything in between.
