Distribution of French population as of 2023, by region
In 2023, Ile-de-France region was the most populous region in France. The region, sometimes called Paris region, is located in the Northern part of France. Divided into eight departments and crossed by the Seine River, Ile-de-France region contains Paris, its large suburbs and several rural areas.
In metropolitan France, the total was estimated at around 65 million inhabitants. In the DOM (Overseas Department), France had more than two million citizens spread over the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte and the South American territory of French Guyana.
According to the source, more than 12 million French citizens lived in Ile-de-France region. Ile-de-France was followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (region of Lyon and the Alps) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which is in the Southern part of the country. Ile-de-France is not only the most populated region in France, it is also the French region with the highest population density. In 2019, there were 1,021 residents per square kilometer in Ile-de-France compared to 115.4 for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the second most populated region in France. More than two million people were living in the city of Paris in 2023. Thus, the metropolitan area outside the city of Paris, called suburbs or banlieue in French, had more than ten million inhabitants. Ile-de-France concentrates the majority of the country’s economic and political activities.
In 2023, the total population of France amounted to over 68 million. The population in the country increased since the mid-2000s. France had the second largest population in Europe in 2017. As well as the other European countries, France is experiencing urbanization. In 2021, more than 81 percent of the French population lived in cities. This phenomenon shapes France’s geography.
In metropolitan France, the total was estimated at around 65 million inhabitants. In the DOM (Overseas Department), France had more than two million citizens spread over the islands of Guadeloupe, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte and the South American territory of French Guyana.
Ile-de-France: most populous region in France
According to the source, more than 12 million French citizens lived in Ile-de-France region. Ile-de-France was followed by Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (region of Lyon and the Alps) and Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, which is in the Southern part of the country. Ile-de-France is not only the most populated region in France, it is also the French region with the highest population density. In 2019, there were 1,021 residents per square kilometer in Ile-de-France compared to 115.4 for Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the second most populated region in France. More than two million people were living in the city of Paris in 2023. Thus, the metropolitan area outside the city of Paris, called suburbs or banlieue in French, had more than ten million inhabitants. Ile-de-France concentrates the majority of the country’s economic and political activities.
An urban population
In 2023, the total population of France amounted to over 68 million. The population in the country increased since the mid-2000s. France had the second largest population in Europe in 2017. As well as the other European countries, France is experiencing urbanization. In 2021, more than 81 percent of the French population lived in cities. This phenomenon shapes France’s geography.
