French regions with an increasing proportion of over 65s

The latest French censuses have recorded an increasing number of over 65s in the region of Normandy, with this trend predicted to continue over the next 25 years.

A study published on April 29 by the official government statistics body Insee, states that some 737,000 people aged 65 or over lived in Normandy in 2021, up 80% since 1990. The overall population of Normandy has increased by only 7%.

“Their [over 65s] share of the population [in Normandy] has risen from 13% in 1990 to 22% in 2021. Over this 30-year period, the number of senior citizens has doubled in the departments of Calvados (+102%) and Eure (+98%),” says the Insee report.

Small towns, coastal areas, and rural villages have a higher percentage of senior residents. In the department of Orne, for example, over 65s represent 29.8% of residents, with 25.6% in La Manche.

The study also predicts that Normandy’s ageing population will continue to grow, seeing an additional 200,000 over 65s by 2050. The number of over 85s is predicted to nearly double within the same timeframe, rising from 120,100 to 230,000. 

More retirees moving to Normandy

Although the ageing Normandy population is primarily linked to population trends in the region itself, Normandy also appears to be relatively attractive to retirees. 

“Between 2017 and 2021, 27,000 over 65s chose to move to Normandy, while 19,000 left,” says Insee. Most of the new residents come from the Île-de-France and neighbouring regions (Hauts-de-France, Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire and Brittany). 

Read also: Which French departments are most popular with retirees?

While certain retirees are drawn to Normandy, another study from July 2024 found that the best places to retire in France (based on attributes such as weather, access to good healthcare facilities, closeness to international airports, nature, and leisure activities) were:

• The Côte d'Azur (for those on a higher budget)

• Paris (for the benefits of city living)

• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (for its closeness to nature, ski resorts, culture, and Italy)

Read more: Top 50 French towns for retirees revealed

The proportion of residents in Occitanie aged 65 and over has also been rising steadily, having reached 23% in 2025 compared to 19% in 2005.

Read more: Where are the best places to grow old in France?

Percentage of over 65s across French regions

In 2021, some 13.9 million people in France were aged 65 and over, representing 20.5% of the country’s total population. 

This percentage remains relatively stable on a regional level, with the exception of Île-de-France (15.2%). This could be explained by the previously mentioned tendency for Franciliens to move away from the region upon reaching retirement. 

Here we rank France’s 13 regions by proportion of over 65s, using the same Insee data: 

• Nouvelle-Aquitaine: 24.5% (1,485,882) 

• Corse: 24.1% (83,938)

• Bourgogne-Franche-Comté: 23.6% (662,539) 

• Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: 23.5% (1,204,515)

• Occitanie: 23.1% (1,392,184)

• Centre-Val de Loire: 23% (592,394)

• Brittany: 22.9% (777,532) 

• Normandy: 22.1% (736,613) 

• Pays de la Loire: 21.2% (815,144)

• Grand Est: 20.7% (1,151,691)

• Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes: 20.3% (1,645,410) 

• Hauts-de-France: 18.6% (1,115,355)

• Île-de-France: 15.2% (1,872,701)

Nouvelle-Aquitaine was therefore the French region with the highest proportion (24.5%) of over 65s. 

Read also: How many Britons have second homes in Nouvelle-Aquitaine - and why do they choose it?

Insee reports that in metropolitan France, the number of people aged 65 and over is expected to increase by 36% between now and 2050, and this growth will continue until 2070.