Small households increase demand

Average French households are getting smaller, with national statistics showing each foyer now has 2.37 people in it, down from 2.39 two years ago and 2.51 in 1999.

The reduction in household size also translates into an increase in demand for housing, as more people are looking for their own place.

Owner-occupied and social housing had the largest households, with 2.5 people on average, as against just 2.1 for private housing.