Insee Première · August 2024 · n° 2010

In 2023, 3.5 million immigrants born in Africa lived in France

In 2023, 3.5 million immigrants born in Africa lived in France, which represents 48% of the immigrant population, making Africa the leading continent of origin for immigrants in France. Six immigrants born in Africa out of ten were from the Maghreb (Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia), against nine out of ten in 1968. The number of immigrants from Sahelian, Guinean or Central Africa has doubled since 2006.

46% of immigrants aged between 18 and 59 who were born in Africa and arrived at the age of 16 or over mention family as the reason for emigrating to France. Studies and work are also frequently mentioned, each of them by almost one in four African immigrants. 27% of immigrants from Guinean or Central Africa came to France to flee insecurity or political unrest.

Among African-born immigrants who had already worked before migrating and who have had a job in France, 26% held (at the time of survey, or in their last job in France if they were unemployed) a less-qualified position than the one they held before migrating. Having a higher education degree does not protect against the risk of downward professional mobility, especially when the degree is not recognized in France.