France Sees Historic Drop in Births to Post-War Lows

The number of births in France fell by 6.6% in 2023, marking the lowest figures since World War II, according to new data from Insee.

In 2023, only 677,800 babies were born in France, the lowest number since 1945, highlighting a significant demographic shift.
The decline in births affected all age groups, including women over 35, who had previously seen rising birth rates.
Economic factors such as inflation, housing issues, and the war in Ukraine are thought to have influenced couples' decisions to delay having children.
France's fertility rate, although declining, remains the highest in the EU, but the country is now aligning more closely with European trends of lower birth rates.
Rural areas, once less affected by declining birth rates, are now experiencing sharper decreases, alongside urban regions.