France Population Pyramid (2026)
France has a population of 66,746,401 in 2026, according to the UN World Population Prospects 2024 (projection for 1 July). That is the 23rd-largest population in the world and 0.80% of the global total of 8.30 billion. Children under 15 make up 16.0% of the population and people aged 65 and over 22.9%, with 94.1 males for every 100 females.
France Demographics
France has 66.7 million people in 2026, up 31.4% from 50.8 million in 1970.
Births outnumber deaths by 2,865 (UN projection for 2026).
65+ share 22.9% — the 12th-highest of 194 countries.
Median age 42.5 — the 29th-highest of 194 countries.
Largest generation: Baby Boomers — 21.2% (14,144,496)
All generations in France →
Population pyramid, 1950 to 2026
Watch how France's population structure evolved from 1950 to 2026
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Sex Ratio & Gender Distribution
France has 94.1 males per 100 females (sex ratio)
Women outnumber men by 2,027,673 (3.0% of the population).
Male Statistics
- Population:32,359,364
- Percentage:48.5%
Female Statistics
- Population:34,387,037
- Percentage:51.5%
- Ratio Format:1:1.063
Sex Ratio Analysis
The sex ratio of France indicates more females than males.
Birth Statistics & Natality Data
Estimated births today
Simulated from the UN WPP 2024 projection of 633,972 births in 2026.
Current Birth Metrics (2026)
Temporal Distribution
Averages from the UN annual births, 2026 projection
Historical Birth Rate Trends, 1950 to 2026
Birth Statistics, 2021 to 2026
| Year | Births | Birth Rate (per 1,000) | TFR (children/woman) | Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 702,274 | 10.6 | 1.80 | estimate |
| 2022 | 687,577 | 10.4 | 1.76 | estimate |
| 2023 | 638,891 | 9.6 | 1.64 | estimate |
| 2024 | 635,995 | 9.6 | 1.64 | projection |
| 2025 | 634,528 | 9.5 | 1.64 | projection |
| 2026 | 633,972 | 9.5 | 1.64 | projection |
Historical Analysis
Global Context (2026)
Source: UN WPP 2024: births, birth rate and fertility for 2024 and later are medium-variant projections; 1950–2023 are estimates. The live counter is a uniform simulation of the 2026 projection (633,972 births), not a real-time feed.
Median Age Analysis
France's median age is 42.5 years
Half the population is younger than 42.5 years, half is older — indicating a middle-aged society
Complete Age Distribution & Youth Demographics
| Age Group | Population | % | Category |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-4 | 3,279,922 | 4.9% | Youth |
| 5-9 | 3,491,916 | 5.2% | Youth |
| 10-14 | 3,878,493 | 5.8% | Youth |
| 15-19 | 4,159,647 | 6.2% | Young Adult |
| 20-24 | 4,250,764 | 6.4% | Young Adult |
| 25-29 | 3,988,340 | 6.0% | Working Age |
| 30-34 | 3,673,193 | 5.5% | Working Age |
| 35-39 | 3,926,584 | 5.9% | Working Age |
| 40-44 | 3,988,740 | 6.0% | Working Age |
| 45-49 | 4,117,162 | 6.2% | Working Age |
| 50-54 | 4,255,638 | 6.4% | Working Age |
| 55-59 | 4,235,259 | 6.3% | Working Age |
| 60-64 | 4,196,875 | 6.3% | Working Age |
| 65-69 | 3,951,851 | 5.9% | Senior |
| 70-74 | 3,636,162 | 5.4% | Senior |
| 75-79 | 3,344,097 | 5.0% | Senior |
| 80-84 | 2,020,195 | 3.0% | Senior |
| 85-89 | 1,330,346 | 2.0% | Senior |
| 90-94 | 748,537 | 1.1% | Senior |
| 95-99 | 237,618 | 0.4% | Senior |
| 100+ | 35,066 | 0.1% | Senior |
Demographic Transition Model (DTM) Stage
Stage 4 (low birth and death rates): fertility is below the replacement level of 2.1 (1.64 children per woman), and births still exceed deaths (9.5 vs 9.5 per 1,000). Read more about Stage 4 of the Demographic Transition Model.
Fertility Rate & Birth Statistics
France Total Fertility Rate: 1.64 children per woman
Below the replacement level of 2.1
Fertility Rate Trends
Historical data (solid line) and future projections (dashed line)
Historical Fertility Trends
| Year | Total Fertility Rate | Birth Rate | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.80 | 10.6 | |
| 2022 | 1.76 | 10.4 | ↓0.04 |
| 2023 | 1.64 | 9.6 | ↓0.12 |
| 2024 | 1.64 | 9.6 | 0.00 |
| 2025 | 1.64 | 9.5 | 0.00 |
| 2026 | 1.64 | 9.5 | 0.00 |
Global Context
- • World Average: 2.23 children per woman
- • Comparison: Below global average
- • UN projection for 2030: 1.64
France's total fertility rate is 1.64 children per woman in 2026 (below replacement), below the replacement level of 2.1. France ranks 126 of 194 for fertility rate (1 = highest), in the middle third of countries. The fertility rate has changed by −44.8% since 1950.
Historical Demographic Changes
Between 1950 and 2026, France's population has increased by 59.4%.
The median age has increased from 33.4 in 1950 to 42.5 in 2026, indicating population aging.
Understanding France's Demographics
France has a constrictive population pyramid — a base narrower than the middle, so younger cohorts are smaller than the ones above them.
Children under 15 make up 16.0% of the population and people aged 65 and over 22.9%.
The largest five-year age band is 20–24, at 6.4% of the population, compared with 4.9% in the 0–4 band.
Demographic Analysis: France's Population Structure
Demographic Dividend Window
France's working-age share peaked in 1988 at 66.0% and is 61.1% in 2026.
Fertility Transition Stage
France is in a period of below replacement, with a total fertility rate of 1.64 children per woman (2026, UN WPP 2024).
Population Aging Speed
France's median age changed by +2.0 years from 2016 to 2026, slower than the world average (+2.6 years).
Key Demographics
| Total Population | 66,746,401 |
| Male Population | 32,359,364(48.5%) |
| Female Population | 34,387,037(51.5%) |
| Median Age | 42.5 years |
| Sex Ratio | 94.1 males per 100 females |
| Youth (0-14) | 10,650,331(16.0%) |
| Working Age (15-64) | 40,792,198(61.1%) |
| Elderly (65+) | 15,303,872(22.9%) |
| Total Dependency Ratio | 63.6 |
| Youth Dependency Ratio | 26.1 |
| Old Age Dependency Ratio | 37.5 |
| Pyramid Type | Constrictive |
Dependency Ratios: Number of dependents per 100 working-age individuals.
Demographic Data Visualizations
Total population, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Median age, 1950–2026 (UN WPP 2024; 2024 onward are projections).
Youth, working-age and elderly shares, 1950 vs 2026 (UN WPP 2024).
Age distribution in 2026: youth, working-age and elderly shares (UN WPP 2024; projection).
Life Expectancy in France
How long the average person in France is expected to live · sourced from UN WPP 2024
Historical Trend, 1950 → 2026 (plus UN projection to 2100)
Solid: actual · Dashed: medium-variant projectionFuture Demographic Trends
France is projected to grow to 68.2 million people by 2050 (+2.2% from 2026).
The median age rises from 42.5 in 2026 to 43.5 by 2050.
France's Demographic Evolution by Decade
The population increased by 6.2%, growing from 50.8 million in 1970 to 53.9 million by 1980
The youth population share contracted by 2.5 percentage points
Meanwhile, the elderly population proportion grew by 1.1 percentage points.
Key Demographic Highlights
- • Population changed from 50.8M to 53.9M
- • Growth rate of 6.2% over the decade
- • Median age shifted from 31.4 to 31.3 years (−0.1y)
- • 65+ share changed by +1.1 points; under-15 share by −2.5 points
How Does France Compare to Its Neighbors?
France has a younger population than Germany, Spain, Italy. France has an older population than United Kingdom.
France
Germany
Spain
Italy
United Kingdom
| Country | Population | Median Age | Youth % | Elderly % | Pyramid Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| France (Current) | 66,746,401 | 42.5 | 16.0% | 22.9% | constrictive |
| Germany | 83,644,259 | 45.7 | 13.9% | 24.2% | constrictive |
| Spain | 47,850,792 | 46.3 | 12.3% | 22.2% | constrictive |
| Italy | 58,926,167 | 48.6 | 11.4% | 25.6% | constrictive |
| United Kingdom | 69,931,529 | 40.2 | 16.7% | 19.9% | constrictive |
Frequently Asked Questions About France
How does France rank globally by population?
France ranks 23rd in the world by population with 66.7 million people as of 2026, representing 0.80% of the global total of 8.30 billion.
What does France's age structure reveal about its development?
France's age structure — 16.0% under 15, 61.1% working-age (15–64) and 22.9% aged 65+ — is that of a country in Stage 4 of the demographic transition, with a constrictive population pyramid. The median age is 42.5 years.
What is the dependency ratio in France?
France has 63.6 people under 15 or aged 65+ per 100 people aged 15–64 in 2026.
Is France experiencing a demographic dividend?
France has moved past its demographic-dividend window. France's working-age share peaked in 1988 at 66.0% and is 61.1% in 2026. The demographic dividend occurs when falling fertility creates a bulge in the working-age population while dependency ratios stay manageable.
What are the gender dynamics in France's population?
France has more females than males, with 94.1 males per 100 females.
Compare with Other Countries
Data Sources & Methodology
All population data is sourced from the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, Population Division. The data represents UN medium-variant projections.
Cite this page: Population Pyramids. (2026). France Population Pyramid and Demographic Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.populationpyramids.org/france
View UN World Population Prospects Data →