Births in France in 2023 lowest since World War II. Here's why

Additionally, fewer deaths over the same period translated into a 0.3-percent increase in the overall French population.

Published on: Jan 16, 2024, 21:08:38 IST

By HT News Desk

Prefer HTon Google

Share via

Copy link

Births in France fell to their lowest annual number since World War II in 2023, the national statistics bureau INSEE said. Around 678,000 babies were born in 2023, data showed, marking a drop of 6.6 percent from the previous year and the lowest number for any year since 1946. This means that the average birth rate was 1.68 children for each woman against 1.79 in 2022.

View of the Eiffel tower as the sun sets on a winter day in Paris, France. (Reuters)

Additionally, fewer deaths over the same period translated into a 0.3-percent increase in the overall French population. France now has a population of 68.4 million on January 1, as per data which also showed that 631,000 people died in France in 2023, a fall of 6.5 percent from the previous year. In 2022, Covid-19 and heatwaves had led to a higher than usual mortality rate.

Migration added 183,000 people to the overall population last year, INSEE said, adding that the life expectancy for people in France rose to a new record- at 85.7 years for women and 80 for men.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
HT News Desk
Follow the latest breaking news, major developments and agenda-setting stories from India and around the world with the newsdesk at Hindustan Times. Operating round the clock, the desk brings together experienced editors, reporters and correspondents to deliver fast, accurate and contextual reporting across subjects that influence public policy, governance, business, society and international affairs. The HT News Desk covers politics, elections, government policies, the economy, business and markets, science and technology, the environment, law and order, infrastructure, education, climate issues and geopolitics, while closely tracking developments across states, institutions and global capitals. The team also leads coverage of major breaking news events, policy announcements, court proceedings, natural disasters, public emergencies and significant international developments. Reports published by the newsdesk are based on information gathered from reporters on the ground, official statements, government agencies, court records, regulatory filings, recognised institutions and other authoritative sources. Stories undergo editorial scrutiny and verification processes to ensure accuracy, fairness and relevance, and are updated as events evolve and additional information becomes available. Whether covering a key political decision in New Delhi, an economic policy shift affecting millions, a landmark court ruling or a major global event, the HT News Desk aims to provide readers with reliable, fact-based journalism that delivers not only the latest developments but also the context and analysis needed to understand their wider implications.Read More