Définition
The population is broken down into two broad groups : French / Foreigners.
In certain tables, the distinction is made among French nationals between :
- French nationals by birth (including by reinstatement) ;
- French nationals by acquisition (persons who have become French by naturalisation, marriage, declaration or on reaching adulthood).
The foreign population is defined according to a nationality criterion : any person residing in France who does not possess French nationality is foreign. Foreigners may acquire French nationality in the course of their life, according to the possibilities provided by the legislation. They then become French by acquisition.
Of the foreigners in France at the time of the census, only those having their permanent residence in France and those working or studying there (permanent workers, interns, students and their families if applicable) were counted with the exception of the seasonal workers and the border workers. Those foreign nationals listed as being members of the diplomatic corps were not counted either, but the foreign staff (administrative, technical or service staff) of Embassies residing permanently in France were counted. Neither tourists nor persons on short stays in France are counted in the census.