Insee Focus · July 2025 · n° 357

Births in 2024 Births still in sharp decline

In 2024, 660,800 babies were born in France, a decrease of 2.8% compared to 2023. This decline was less steep than the one in 2023 (-6.6%); however, it remained more significant than the average annual decrease observed between 2010, the last peak in births, and 2022 (-1.3% per year on average). In total, births in 2024 were 22% lower than their level in 2010. In the first five months of 2025, the decline in births continued.

The decline in births in 2024 involved mothers of all ages, even if it was less pronounced among older women. It was also observed across the entire country. Unlike previous years, the decline was significantly more marked among mothers residing in the French overseas departments than among those living in metropolitan France.

In 2023, the total fertility rate in France (1.66 children per woman) remained one of the highest in the European Union (1.38 on average); however, it falled to second place behind Bulgaria (1.81).