In 2025, France had more deaths than births, with a negative natural increase of -6,000 people, despite a population growth of 0.25%, due to migration.

For the first time since the end of World War II, France recorded in 2025 more deaths than births, with a negative natural increase of -6,000 people. The population grew slightly, reaching 69.1 million, due to a positive migratory balance of 176,000 people. The decrease in births, with 645,000 newborns, was 2.1% compared to the previous year, marking the fourth consecutive year of decline. The total fertility rate reached 1.56 children/woman, the lowest post-war level. Demographers suggest that economic difficulties and fears about the future contribute to this trend. At the same time, the number of deaths increased by 1.5% compared to the previous year, partly due to the aging population and a flu epidemic.