Quick facts
France population overview
France is the 4th most populous of 50 countries and territories in Europe. The United Nations put the population at 66,701,519 on 1 January 2026; with an annual growth rate of +0.1% the live estimate on this page rises by roughly 256 people per day.
Over a full year that means about 633,664 births (9.5 per 1,000 people) and 633,664 deaths (9.5 per 1,000), plus net immigration of roughly 86,712 people. The infant mortality rate is 3 per 1,000 live births.
World Bank data show the population grew from 47,412,964 in 1960 to 68,720,337 in 2025 — a change of +44.9%, or +0.6% per year on average. It peaked at 68,720,337 in 2025 and has declined 2.8% since.
Demographically, the median age is 42.5 years; life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years; women have on average 1.6 children (2024, below the 2.1 replacement level); 16.2% of residents are under 15 and 22.5% are 65 or older (2025); 78.8% of people live in urban areas (2025).
The capital is Paris. France covers 606,410 km², giving a population density of about 110 people per km². GDP was $3.37T in 2025 — about $48,986 per person (World Bank classification: high income).
France population statistics (2026)
| Population (live, October 2026) | 66,775,988 |
|---|---|
| UN estimate, 1 Jan 2026 | 66,701,519 |
| World rank | #23 of 238 |
| Rank in Europe | #4 of 50 |
| Share of world population | 0.8% |
| Annual growth rate | +0.1% |
| Births per year est. | 633,664 |
| Deaths per year est. | 633,664 |
| Net migration per year est. | +86,712 |
| Birth rate | 9.5 per 1,000 |
| Death rate | 9.5 per 1,000 |
| Infant mortality | 3 per 1,000 births |
| Sex ratio | 94.1 males per 100 females |
| Median age | 42.5 years |
| Life expectancy | 83.7 years |
| Fertility rate 2024 | 1.6 births per woman |
| Urban population 2025 | 78.8% |
| Surface area 2023 | 606,410 km² |
| Population density | 110 per km² |
| Capital | Paris |
| GDP (current US$) 2025 | $3.37T |
| GDP per capita 2025 | $48,986 |
| Income group World Bank | High income |
France population by year
| Year | Population | Change | Annual growth |
|---|---|---|---|
| October 2026 (live, UN-based) | 66,775,988 | – | – |
| 2025 | 68,720,337 | +168,684 | +0.2% |
| 2024 | 68,551,653 | +179,367 | +0.3% |
| 2023 | 68,372,286 | +187,829 | +0.3% |
| 2022 | 68,184,457 | +341,646 | +0.5% |
| 2021 | 67,842,811 | +241,701 | +0.4% |
| 2020 | 67,601,110 | +1,052,838 | +0.3% |
| 2015 | 66,548,272 | +1,522,061 | +0.5% |
| 2010 | 65,026,211 | +1,845,357 | +0.6% |
| 2005 | 63,180,854 | +2,262,193 | +0.7% |
| 2000 | 60,918,661 | +1,377,367 | +0.5% |
| 1995 | 59,541,294 | +1,280,282 | +0.4% |
| 1990 | 58,261,012 | +1,595,393 | +0.6% |
| 1985 | 56,665,619 | +1,391,435 | +0.5% |
| 1980 | 55,274,184 | +1,271,331 | +0.5% |
| 1975 | 54,002,853 | +1,995,684 | +0.8% |
| 1970 | 52,007,169 | +2,129,444 | +0.8% |
| 1965 | 49,877,725 | +2,464,761 | +1% |
| 1960 | 47,412,964 | – | – |
Change and annual growth are measured against the previous row; growth is annualized where rows are five years apart. The live row extrapolates the UN estimate and is not directly comparable with the World Bank series.
About France
Population over time
- From 47,412,964 in 1960 to 66,775,988 today — up 40.8%.
- Population peaked at 68,720,337 in 2025 and is down 2.8% since.
- Average change over the last 10 years of data: +0.3% per year.
Life expectancy & fertility
- Life expectancy at birth: 83 years (2024), up 13.1 years since 1960.
- Fertility: 1.6 births per woman (2024) — below the ~2.1 replacement level.
Birth & death rates
- Latest: 9.7 births vs 9.4 deaths per 1,000 people (2024).
- Natural increase of 0.3 per 1,000 a year, before migration.
Age structure
- 16.2% of the population is under 15 and 22.5% is 65 or older (2025).
- The 65+ share has grown from 11.5% in 1960 — the population is aging.
CO₂ emissions
- Latest total: 274.5 Mt CO₂ (2024).
- Emissions peaked at 535.5 Mt in 1973 — down 48.7% since.
- Per person: 4 t in 2024, vs 9.02 t in 1970.
Energy use & renewables
- Energy use: 3,184.8 kg of oil equivalent per person (2024), down 17.1% since 1990.
- Renewables supplied 16.2% of final energy in 2021 (+5.7 points since 1990).
Forest area (% of land)
- Forest covers 32.5% of land area (2023).
- Net afforestation: cover grew from 26.8% to 32.5% since 1990 — roughly 34,511 km² of forest gained.
Urban population (% of total)
- 78.8% of people live in urban areas (2025), vs 61.7% in 1960 (+17.2 points).
- Majority-urban for the whole period covered.
Water resources & stress
- Water stress: low–medium — freshwater withdrawals are 12.2% of renewable internal resources (2022, SDG 6.4.2-style bands).
- Renewable freshwater per person: 2,933 m³ in 2022, down 29.7% since 1961.
Economy
- GDP: $3.37T in 2025.
- Nominal GDP is up 37.8% since 2015.
- That works out to $48,986 per person.
Unemployment & inflation
- Unemployment: 7.5% of the labor force (2025, ILO estimate).
- Consumer-price inflation: 0.9% in 2025.
Internet & mobile
- 88.7% of people used the internet in 2024.
- Mobile subscriptions: 116.7 per 100 people (2023) — more subscriptions than people.
France in the news
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of France in 2026?
As of October 2026, France has an estimated population of 66,775,988. The United Nations estimated 66,701,519 residents on 1 January 2026; the live figure on this page extrapolates that estimate using the +0.1% annual growth rate.
Is the population of France growing or shrinking?
It is growing at +0.1% per year — roughly 256 more people every day. Each year there are about 633,664 births and 633,664 deaths, with net migration of +86,712.
What is the population density of France?
About 110 people per square kilometre: 66,775,988 people living on 606,410 km² of surface area (World Bank, 2023).
What is the median age in France?
The median age is 42.5 years, and life expectancy at birth is 83.7 years. 16.2% of the population is under 15 and 22.5% is 65 or older (2025).
How does France rank by population?
France is the 23rd most populous of 238 countries and territories worldwide and the 4th in Europe, with 0.8% of the global population.
How has the population of France changed over time?
In 1960 the population was 47,412,964; by 2025 it had grown to 68,720,337 (+44.9%). The year-by-year table above lists the full World Bank series.
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KenyaSources & method: the live population is a linear extrapolation of the UN World Population Prospects estimate for 1 January 2026 using the annual growth rate (+0.1%); births, deaths and migration counters apply the UN crude rates to the live figure. Historical series, area, GDP and other indicators are from World Bank Open Data; the encyclopedic summary is from Wikipedia. Figures are statistical estimates, not census counts. Page generated 2026-10-19. More about our data.