Marked population growth in low-density areas

On the 1st of January 2017, 66,524,000 inhabitants live in France excluding Mayotte, an average growth of 0.5% per year for the last ten years. The population is growing faster in low density municipalities, particularly those located on the outskirts of the main cities, reflecting the continuing urban sprawl. Densely populated municipalities are experiencing a clear increase in their density due to an excess of births over deaths. The less densely populated municipalities attract new inhabitants, and this attraction spreads to increasingly remote areas. The growth of low-density areas concerns 80% of the departments.