Overview

• France's infant mortality rate reached 4.1 per 1,000 births in 2024, with 2,700 infants dying before their first birthday, placing the country among the worst in the EU.
• Systemic healthcare challenges, including the closure of 75% of maternity wards since 1975 and staffing shortages, have severely impacted maternal and neonatal care.
• Geographical and socioeconomic disparities exacerbate risks, with rural and overseas areas facing higher mortality rates due to limited access to facilities and resources.
• Male infants and those from multiple births face significantly higher mortality risks, with boys 1.2 times more likely and multiples five times more likely to die before age one.
• The French government announced plans to establish a national infant mortality registry to identify root causes and inform targeted policy reforms.