In 2009 the population thus increased 346

The France continues to be among the first European countries to the vitality of its demographics. In 2009, the population thus increased 346.000 people, according to the latest Insee census figures, reaching a total of 64.7 million. A figure that puts the France to the second rank of European countries by population, behind Germany (81.7 million).

Life expectancy continues to increase

A girl born in 2009 can hope to live 84.5 years, sales still rose by 2 months from the previous year. Same evolution for boys, with a life expectancy which reached last year 77.8 years. Gains that explain in large part by the decline in the mortality observed in the slice of the 70-79 years, according to Insee.

Life expectancy was 70.4 years for males and 78.5 for women in 1981 (see chart). Since then, life expectancy therefore grew more than 7 years and a half men and 5 years for women, while the legal age of retirement is remained fixed at 60 years since that date. 60 Years ago, a man can now expect to live 22.2 years (27 years for a woman) then this horizon was 17.3 years in 1981. The share of people over 60 years in the total population continues to increase, reaching 23.

Always strong fertility

With a natural balance has grown from 275,000 persons in 2009, the France certainly made less although in 2008 ( 286.000) but it contributes to about half the European natural balance, amounting to 600,000 people about. "Without the France, this figure would be divided by two, which shows how the French fertility is important", insists Pascale Breuil, head of the unit of the demographic and social studies of the Insee. The number of babies born last year, although only slightly down from 2008 (-7,500), remains at a very high level, at 821.000, a level far above the average of the last ten years. This slight decrease is explained, according to Insee, the decrease in the fertility rate of women under 30 years old. The fertility of women over 30 years continuing, to increase. The average age at childbirth turn elsewhere for the first time the bar for 30 years. "A change in timing of fertility, but on a generation of women of child-bearing, they are all on average two children." "It not there no reason that this figure is dropping short-term", said Pascale Breuil. In Europe, only the Iceland is better than the France.

A net migration remains low

The French migratory balance, unlike its European neighbours as the Spain or the United Kingdom (see chart), plays in the growth of the French population. He was of 71.000 in 2009, is one-fifth of the total increase.

Two PACS for three marriages

More than 700,000 PACS were signed since its creation in 1999. Progress has been very strong in 2008 ( 40), and it remains at a level important in 2009 ( 20) and was concerned for this year alone 175.000 pairs, including 95 formed by partners of different sexes. Conversely, marriages are more rare: only 256.000 have been celebrated in 2009.

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