Sigma Live

Deaths Outnumber Births in France for the First Time Since WWII

Published January 13, 2026, 14:16
Deaths Outnumber Births in France for the First Time Since WWII

France is experiencing a historic shift in demographic balance, as deaths exceeded births for the first time since World War II in 2023. According to the French Statistical Office, 645,000 births were recorded compared to 651,000 deaths. Despite the negative natural increase, the total population of France increased by 0.25% due to positive net migration, which amounted to 176,000 people. Thus, the total population of the country reached 69.1 million inhabitants. This trend is expected to intensify in the coming years due to the aging population and increased mortality of baby boomers. The Statistical Office's projections estimate that the number of deaths will reach 800,000 per year by 2040. The average life expectancy in France increased in 2023, reaching 85.9 years for women and 80.3 years for men. The number of people over 65 years of age is almost equal to the number of people under 20 years of age, representing 22.2% and 22.5% of the population respectively. The fertility rate remains low, at 1.56 children per woman, with an average age of first childbirth of 31.2 years for women and 34.1 years for men.