820k babies born in France in 2014

THE POPULATION of France continues to rise, with 264,000 more births than deaths recorded in 2014, according to figures.

A total 820,000 babies were born last year, as the country remains, alongside Ireland, the most fertile in Europe. Meanwhile, 556,000 deaths were recorded, 14,000 fewer than in 2013, according to the latest demographic report from national statistics office INSEE.

The decline in the number of deaths was put down in part to 2014’s mild winter, and a less severe outbreak of influenza than in previous years.

It means that the total population of France now stands at 66.3million, including 2.1million living in overseas territories, and an increase in the number of people moving to the country of 33,000.

The figure confirms France as Europe’s second-most populous country, behind Germany - but the population is ageing. As of January 1 this year, 18.5% of the population was aged 65 or more, an increase of 0.5% on last year, and 2.1% rise in a decade.

Life-expectancy for both sexes rose to 85.4 years for women, an increase of 3.6 years in 20 years, and 79.2 years for men, 5.6 years more than in 1995. South of the Loire life-expectancy for men is even higher, breaking the 80 years mark, the figures show.

The same figures reveal that the 10,000 same-sex marriages that took place last year made up 4% of the 241,000 unions celebrated in France in 2014. A total 17,500 same-sex marriages have been recorded since it was made legal in July 2013. More than 6,000 municipalities celebrated at least one gay marriage last year.

In 2013, 62% of same-sex marriages were between men. Last year, that figure fell to 54%, while the average age of same-sex couples tying the knot also fell - from 43 to 41 for women and from 50 to 46 for men.

Photo: Gabi Menashe