• France records first excess of deaths over births since World War Two
• Falling fertility and aging population strain public spending and taxes

Official figures from France’s National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) showed 651,000 deaths compared with 645,000 births in 2025, marking the first time deaths outnumbered births since World War Two, amid a sharp decline in births since the global COVID pandemic.

The institute noted that the fertility rate fell to 1.56 children per woman, its lowest level since World War One, well below the 1.8 assumed in pension funding calculations.

In 2023, France ranked second in the EU with a fertility rate of 1.65, behind Bulgaria at 1.81.

The National Public Audit Office warned that this demographic shift will push public spending back to post-pandemic levels while eroding the tax base over the coming years.

Economist Philippe Crevel said, “The retirement of the large generations born in the 1960s will rapidly increase labor market pressures and workforce challenges in the coming years.”

Despite deaths exceeding births, France’s population grew slightly to 69.1 million, driven by net migration estimated at 176,000.

Life expectancy reached record highs—85.9 years for women and 80.3 for men—while the share of people aged 65 and older rose to 22%, nearly matching the share under 20.