Archive · 13 Jan 2026
France Sees More Deaths Than Births
France had more people dying than being born in 2025, which hasn't happened since World War Two.
This is because people are having fewer babies and living longer.
Even though more people are dying, France's population is still growing a little because more people are moving to France from other countries.
The country's population is getting older, with more people over 65 than under 20.
This could cause problems for the economy and public spending in the future.
France recorded 651,000 deaths and 645,000 births in 2025, the first time deaths outnumbered births since World War Two.
The fertility rate dropped to 1.56 children per woman, the lowest since World War One.
France's population grew slightly to 69.1 million due to net migration of 176,000.
Life expectancy reached record highs of 85.9 years for women and 80.3 years for men.
The share of people aged 65 or older climbed to 22%, nearly matching those under 20.
- Who
- France
- What
- Recorded more deaths than births in 2025 for the first time since World War Two
- When
- 2025
- Where
- France
- Why
- Due to an aging population and falling birth rates
- Deaths in 2025
- 651,000
- Births in 2025
- 645,000
- Fertility Rate in 2025
- 1.56 children per woman
- France's Population in 2025
- 69.1 million
- Net Migration in 2025
- 176,000
- Life Expectancy for Women in 2025
- 85.9 years
- Life Expectancy for Men in 2025
- 80.3 years
- Percentage of Population Aged 65 or Older in 2025
- 22%