France records more deaths than births for first time since end of second world war
The Guardian • • world
Key Points:
- In 2025, France recorded more deaths (651,000) than births (645,000) for the first time since World War II, indicating a shift in its demographic advantage within the EU.
- The fertility rate in France dropped to 1.56 children per woman in 2025, the lowest since the end of World War I and a 24% decline from 15 years ago.
- Financial concerns, societal uncertainty, and work-life balance were cited by respondents in a national survey as key reasons for declining birth rates.
- France’s aging population, with 22% aged 65 or older and rising life expectancy, mirrors a broader EU trend where 20 of 27 countries saw more deaths than births
