Population in France 2023

The total population of France has been increasing for years now, exceeding 68 million inhabitants in 2023. France is the second most populous country in Europe after Germany. Like most Western nations, France is struggling with an aging population.

Demographics in France

Since a few years, the population growth in France has been decreasing. In 2011, the population grew by about 0.48 percent. Ten years later, in 2021, this number only reached 0.18 percent. However, unlike the majority of European countries, France appears to have a steady fertility rate of around 1.83 children per woman. This phenomenon allows France to be ranked as the most fertile country in Europe. But this cannot hide the facts that the population is getting older every year.

An aging country

The median age of French citizens has been increasing since the seventies. In 2050, the median age in France is expected to reach 46 years, compared to 36.2 years back in 1995. France has one of the highest life expectancies in Europe. Even though its birth rate seems pretty high compared to other European nations, this does not appear to be enough to slow down the growing trend of the French median age.

Total population of France from 1982 to 2023 (in millions)

Characteristic	Number of people in millions
2023	68.04
2022	67.84
2021	67.64
2020	67.44
2019	67.26
2018	66.99
2017	66.77
2016	66.6
2015	66.42
2014	66.13
2013	65.56
2012	65.24
2011	64.93
2010	64.61
2009	64.3
2008	63.96
2007	63.6
2006	63.19
2005	62.73
2004	62.25
2003	61.82
2002	61.38
2001	60.94
2000	60.51
1999	60.12
1998	59.89
1997	59.69
1996	59.48
1995	59.28
1994	59.07
1993	58.85
1992	58.57
1991	58.28
1990	57.99
1989	57.66
1988	57.33
1987	57.01
1986	56.72
1985	56.44
1984	56.17
1983	55.9
1982	55.57