Demographic balance sheet 2016 A further decline, with the fertility rate at 1.93 children per woman in 2016

On 1st January 2017, France had 66,991,000 inhabitants. Over 2016, the population increased by 265,000, or a rise of 0.4%. As in previous years, this growth is mainly due to natural balance, the difference between the number of births and deaths.

In 2016, 785,000 babies were born in France. For the second consecutive year, the number of births decreased (-14,000). The total fertility rate stood at 1.93 children per woman in 2016, down from 2015. However, it is still the highest in Europe. In 2016, the number of deaths was 587,000. After increasing considerably in 2015, it dropped slightly in 2016 (-7,000). Life expectancy at birth, which decreased in 2015, recovered its 2014 level (85.4 years for women and 79.3 years for men).

In 2016, 235,000 marriages were celebrated, of which 7,000 were same-sex marriages. The age of the newlyweds in opposite sex marriages continues to rise; that of newlyweds in same-sex marriages is decreasing slightly. The Civil Solidarity Pact (PACS) continues to increase, and in 2015, there were four PACS for every five marriages.