Demographics of inter-community authorities (french EPCI): growth is concentrated in and around metropolitan areas

Between 2011 and 2016, all type of EPCI contributed positively to the change in the French population. Demographic growth has strengthened and reached on average 0.7% per year in provincial metropolitan areas that are all attracting more new inhabitants than between 2006 and 2011. Thus, the population of the metropolitan areas of Montpellier, Bordeaux, Nantes, Rennes, Toulouse and Lyon is growing by more than 1% every year. Conversely, the Greater Paris population is growing less rapidly than in the past.

Underpinned until then by urban sprawl, the demographic dynamism of communities has halved (+0.4% per year) and is now concentrated closer to the metropolitan areas. Beyond 30 minutes by car from the nearest metropolitan areas, the pace of growth significantly slows down. When they are located far from metropolitan areas, over a broad central band of the country, more and more communities are losing population. For 166 inter-community authorities, i.e. 3.5 times more than between 2006 and 2011, natural loss and migratory loss are now accumulating.