People born abroad with French nationality have a profile closer to natives than to immigrants

In 2019, 1.7 million people born French abroad were living in France.

Their path is linked to France's colonial history and, more recently, to the expatriation of French people around the world, who then return to France with their children. Half of them were born in the Maghreb, but this proportion has declined over time compared to Europe and other African countries. This population is particularly elderly (half are over 61 years old). It is decreasing because migratory movements do not compensate for its mortality.

The profile of people born French abroad differs significantly from that of immigrants and looks more like that of people born in France, the natives. These people are not counted as immigrants according to the definition used in France, whereas they are for international comparisons. People born French abroad generally arrived in France much younger and their social origins are closer to people born in France. Their level of education is also higher and they work as managers more often than immigrants and people born in France. However, those born in Africa encounter more difficulties in finding a job, although less so than immigrants of the same origin.