US EditionDeaths overtake births in France for first time since World War II
France's fertility rate fell to 1.56 children per woman in 2025, with 651,000 deaths surpassing 645,000 births, marking its first negative natural balance since WWII.
- On Tuesday, INSEE reported deaths outnumbered births in France in 2025 for the first time since World War Two, with 651,000 deaths and 645,000 births last year, eroding its EU demographic advantage.
- Falling birth rates and ageing mean fertility dropped to 1.56 children per woman last year, its lowest since World War One, while life expectancy hit record highs and aged 65+ rose to 22%.
- Migration data show France's population grew slightly to 69.1 million last year, driven by a net migration estimate of 176,000 despite births collapsing after the COVID pandemic.
- The national public audit office warned the demographic shift will push public spending back to pandemic-era highs and erode the tax base, while economist Philippe Crevel said retirement of large 1960s cohorts will raise labour market tensions in the coming years.
- In the coming years, analysts expect labour market tensions and workforce problems to increase as ageing accelerates, while the national public audit office warned fiscal strains could intensify, affecting pensions and public spending.
32 Articles
32 Articles
In a report published on Tuesday, 13 January, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (Insee) points to a historical decline in the number of births compared to deaths.
2025 is the first year since World War II when more people died in France than were born, ending eighty years of natural increase: like most European countries, France, which has long been an exception in demographic terms, is now experiencing a natural decline. According to demographic data released on Tuesday, the French population still grew by 176,000 people last year, but this is only due to migration. However, natural increase, i.e. the di…
Deaths Exceed Births in France for First Time Since End of WWII
France recorded more deaths than births in 2025, the first time since the end of World War II, as fertility rates fell to a historic low, official data show. France had 645,000 births and 651,000 deaths in 2025, the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) said in its 2025 demographic report, published Jan. 13. The 2025 birth rate, according to figures, was down 2.1 percent from 2024 and 24 percent lower than in 2010, when b…
France records more deaths than births for first time since 1945
Fewer babies, more elderly people, rising life expectancy: France has gradually changed and is now at a demographic turning point. For the first time since World War II, there were more deaths than births, according to the national statistics institute Insee.
Deaths overtake births in France for first time since World War II
More people died than were born in France last year for the first time since the end of World War II, official figures released on Tuesday indicated. France has long maintained comparatively high birthrates in the face of a widespread drop in the number of children being born across Europe and beyond.
Coverage Details
Bias Distribution
- 41% of the sources are Center
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
