New Delhi: France population decline 2025 became a historic marker as the country recorded more deaths than births for the first time since the end of World War Two, according to official figures released on Tuesday. The milestone signals a major demographic turning point that weakens France’s long-standing advantage over other European Union nations in population growth and fertility.
Data released by INSEE showed that 651,000 deaths were recorded last year, compared with 645,000 births, underscoring a sharp fall in birth rates that has accelerated since the global COVID-19 pandemic.
France Population Decline 2025 Highlights Falling Fertility
France has traditionally stood out in Europe for its relatively strong demographic profile, but recent trends suggest it is now facing the same pressures affecting much of the continent. INSEE reported that the fertility rate dropped to 1.56 children per woman in 2025, the lowest level recorded since World War One and significantly below the 1.8 rate assumed in official pension funding projections.
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Although France ranked second-highest in fertility among EU countries in 2023 behind Bulgaria the steady decline points to long-term structural challenges tied to an ageing population and fewer births.
Ageing Population Puts Pressure on Public Finances
The demographic shift is expected to place mounting strain on public finances. France’s national public audit office warned last month that public spending could return to pandemic-era levels in the coming years as the tax base shrinks and age-related expenditures rise.
Economist Philippe Crevel of the Cercle d’Epargne think tank said that labour market tensions are likely to intensify as large generations born in the 1960s move into retirement. He cautioned that workforce shortages and productivity pressures could escalate rapidly without corrective measures.
Migration Offsets Decline but Alters Demographic Balance
Despite deaths outnumbering births, France’s total population rose slightly to 69.1 million last year, supported by net migration. INSEE estimated net migration at 176,000, helping offset natural population decline.
Life expectancy also reached record highs, with women living an average of 85.9 years and men 80.3 years. Meanwhile, the share of people aged 65 and older climbed to 22%, nearly matching the proportion of those under 20 a stark indicator of France’s shifting age structure.
Experts say while migration and longevity are helping sustain overall population numbers, the underlying France population decline 2025 trend reflects a deeper demographic transformation that will shape economic, social and fiscal policy debates for decades to come.
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