
French birthrate hits 100-year low despite government help
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France has recorded its lowest birth rate since World War I’s conclusion, with newly released data from the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) revealing a significant demographic shift in 2024.
The INSEE report shows that French births dropped to 663,000 in 2024, marking a 2.2 percent decrease from the previous year and hitting the lowest point since 1946. The fertility rate experienced a notable decline to 1.62 children per woman, down from 1.66 in 2023, falling well short of the 2.1 replacement level needed to maintain population stability.
This decline persists despite governmental efforts, including President Macron’s initiative for “demographic rearmament” launched in the previous year. While the European Union’s overall fertility rate stood at 1.46 in 2022, the French National Union of Family Associations (UNAF) expressed concern over France’s accelerated decline compared to other EU member states.
🚨JUST IN: FERTILITY RATE AT ITS LOWEST IN FRANCE SINCE 1919
The French National Statistical Institute (INSEE) has just published its demography figures for 2024.
The total fertility rate stands at 1.62 children per woman, down from 1.66 in 2023. This is the lowest level since… pic.twitter.com/W8hAUWELxg
— Mario Nawfal (@MarioNawfal) January 14, 2025
UNAF emphasized that the declining birth rate isn’t due to a lack of desire for children, noting that couples of reproductive age express a desire for an average of 2.27 children. However, various obstacles, including economic constraints, housing issues, and social factors, prevent many from achieving this goal.
Research from Cécilia Creuzet, who co-founded a French parenting application, revealed that work-life balance remains a primary concern for users, particularly women. The study found that 34 percent would consider having more children if daily logistics were simplified and childcare options were more accessible. Notably, over half of the app’s users cited environmental concerns as a factor diminishing their desire for larger families.
INSEE’s population statistics indicate that France and its five overseas departments reached 68.6 million inhabitants at the year’s start, showing a modest increase of 169,000 people, or approximately 0.25 percent from 2024. Migration accounted for the majority of this growth, with net migration estimated at 152,000.
Fertility in the EU is down yet again. Only 1.53 babies per woman. Well below replacement rate. The German increase is due to migration I would say. Czechia will soon over take France as the nation with the highest birth rate. Source: https://t.co/f7f98CDr5k pic.twitter.com/M84NLMZcHv
— Simon Kuestenmacher (@simongerman600) September 18, 2023
France’s “colour blind” policy has historically prevented tracking births based on maternal origin. However, starting this year, the census will include an optional question about parents’ birthplace, a change that has sparked controversy among leftist organizations.
The Human Rights League and CTG union have publicly opposed this new measure, stating: “This question presents a lot of dangers. No public policy justifies our parents’ immigrant origin being collected… The recording of this information is a step towards possible unequal treatment by the state on this basis.”
This demographic shift mirrors trends in other Western European nations, where significant disparities exist between native and immigrant birth rates. For instance, in England and Wales, foreign-born women accounted for 31.8 percent of births in 2023, despite representing only about 16 percent of the total population.