France
Based on the most recent published official birth records (and Birthgap harmonisation where noted).
In 2024, France saw a modest decline in its total maternal rate to 71.9%, continuing a downward trend since 2020. Meanwhile, the total fertility gap rose notably to 22.2%, reflecting a growing disparity between desired and actual family size. Childlessness also edged up to 28.1%, maintaining one of the lowest rates globally but showing a small increase over the past year.
- Average maternal age increased slightly to 29.6 years, consistent with a gradual rise over recent years.
- Mothers had on average 2.24 children, a slight decrease from 2023, continuing a slow decline in completed family size.
- The share of mothers with only one child grew by 2.5 percentage points, while those with two children remained dominant at 45.1%.
- Life expectancy at birth was recorded at 87.1 years, marking a noticeable decline from the previous year.
In 2024, France maintains one of the highest total maternal rates globally, despite modest declines in key fertility measures.
- TMR ranks 3rd highest in Europe, reflecting strong maternal rates (71.9%)
- Average children per mother slightly down to 2.24, placing 11th in Europe
- Low fertility gap indicating fewer births lost to potential, ranked 29th in Europe
- Childlessness rate among the lowest in Europe, at 28.1%
- Societal Half-Life remains very high, ranked 2nd in Europe, signaling long generational span
Key fertility indicators — France
| Total Maternal Rate (TMR) | 71.9% |
| Childlessness Rate (TCR) | 28.1% |
| Societal Half-Life (SHL) | 87.1 years |
| TGI (great-grandchildren per 100 parents) | 47 |
Motherhood prevalence (TMR)
In 2024, the total maternal rate (TMR) is 71.9%. It has eased slightly from 2023 (down 0.9pp). Over the past five years, TMR has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 75.5%. Looking back to the 2020s (75.5%), TMR stands lower by about 3.6pp.
Globally, France has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 3/42). Within Europe, France has one of the highest TMR values (ranked 3/30).
| Year | TMR | Year | TMR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 78.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 72.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 71.9% |
Source: Eurostat.
Children per mother (CPM)
In 2024, mothers in France had an average of 2.24 children. There has been a modest decline since 2023 (down 0.04). Across the most recent five-year window, CPM is falling with an average of 2.30. Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (2.30), mothers in France are now having lower by about 0.06 children on average.
Globally, France ranks 14 out of 42 countries for CPM. Within Europe, France ranks 11 out of 30 countries for CPM.
| Year | CPM | Year | CPM |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 2.33 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 2.28 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 2.24 |
Source: Eurostat.
Average maternal age (AMA)
France’s mean age at childbearing is 29.6 in 2024. It has edged up slightly (+0.2 years). Over the past five years, AMA has been rising, averaging 29.4 years. Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 29.4 years), AMA now stands close to that long-run level.
Globally, France ranks 26 out of 42 countries for average maternal age. Within Europe, France ranks 18 out of 30 countries for average maternal age.
| Year | BIRTH | Year | BIRTH |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 29.18 |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 29.37 |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 29.58 |
Source: Eurostat.
Total Fertility Gap (TFG)
In 2024, France’s TFG is 22.2% (equivalent to a TFR of 1.61). It is higher than in 2023 (up 2.4pp). Looking at the last five years, the Total Fertility Gap has been rising (average 16.0% across 2020–2024). Compared with the long-run norm from the 2020s (16.0%), the fertility gap today is higher by about 6.2pp.
Globally, France has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 41/42). Within Europe, France has one of the lowest TFG values (ranked 29/30).
| Year | TFG | Year | TFG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 12.2% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 19.8% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 22.2% |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for France stands at 27.5% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 22.4% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 22.4%), the FWG stands higher by about 5.1pp.
Globally, France ranks 29 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, France has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 23/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 17.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 27.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
Societal Half-Life (SHL)
In 2024, France’s Societal Half-Life (SHL) is 87.1 years. It moved sharply down from 2023 (down 11.5 years). Over the past five years, SHL has been falling; the 2020–2024 average is 134.6 years. Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (134.6 years), today’s SHL is lower by about 47.5 years.
Globally, France has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 2/42). Within Europe, France has one of the highest SHL values (ranked 2/30).
Triple Generation Impact (TGI)
With this Birthgap (TFG) for every 100 people of fertility age in France, there would be 47 great-grandchildren, representing a -53.0% drop from the current generation.
Globally, France has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 2/42).
Within Europe, France has one of the highest TGI values (ranked 2/30).
Birth trajectory
Milestones Years: - Births down 50% in 2111 - Births down 75% in 2198 - Births down 90% in 2313
Based on the 2024 birth pattern, total births would fall by half from 660,800 in 2024 to 330,400 in 2111, and by 90% to 66,080 in 2313 (ignoring migration).
Childlessness rate (TCR)
The TCR in France is 28.1% as of 2024. There has been a slight increase since 2023 (up 0.9pp). Looking at the last five years, childlessness has been rising (average 24.5% across 2020–2024). Relative to the earliest available baseline in the 2020s (24.5%), today’s level is higher by about 3.6pp.
Globally, France has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 40/42). Within Europe, France has one of the lowest childlessness rates (ranked 28/30).
| Year | TCR | Year | TCR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 22.0% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 28.1% |
Source: Eurostat.
Total births
Total births in France were 660,800 in 2024. It is down from 2023 by 17,164 births. Over the past five years, total births have been falling, averaging 708,535 per year. Compared with the 2020s average (708,535), total births are now lower by 47,735 births (6.7% decrease).
| Year | Births | Year | Births |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 735.4k |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 678.0k |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 660.8k |
Source: Eurostat.
Future Worker Gap (FWG)
The Future Worker Gap (FWG) for France stands at 27.5% in 2024. It is essentially unchanged from 2023 (little change). Looking at the last five years, FWG has been rising (average 22.4% across 2020–2024). Against the oldest decade baseline on record (2020s, 22.4%), the FWG stands higher by about 5.1pp.
Globally, France ranks 29 out of 39 countries for FWG. Within Europe, France has one of the lowest FWG values (ranked 23/29).
| Year | FWG | Year | FWG |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1970 | n/a | 2010 | n/a |
| 1980 | n/a | 2020 | 17.6% |
| 1990 | n/a | 2023 | 27.2% |
| 2000 | n/a | 2024 | 27.5% |
Source: Eurostat.
