French population ‘will keep growing to nearly 70m’

France’s population will continue to grow until 2044 if birth and death rates and immigration remain at the levels they were last year, a study by national statistics agency Insee shows.

A peak of 69.3 million people is predicted for 2044, which will fall to 68.1 million by 2070.

Variations in birth rates, death rates and immigration from 2021’s figures give a range of population estimates for 2070 as low as 58 million or as high as 79.1 million.

The population in December was officially estimated at 67.4 million.

The Insee report, produced every five years, also raises questions about how retirement will be funded in the future.

At the moment, the ratio of over-65s, who are mainly retired, and the 20- to 64-yearold age group, who are mainly economically active, is 37 retired people for 100 active.

This ratio will rise to between 48 and 53 retired people per 100 active people by 2040.

The report also predicts the number of over-75s will rise by 5.7 million in the year 2070, while a fall in birth rates means there will be five million fewer 60-year-olds.

Related stories

Standard of living in France increasing, latest report finds

Brittany only French region where life expectancy did not drop in 2020