Insee Première · October 2025 · n° 2076

In 2024, 6.0 million foreigners lived in France, 0.9 million of whom were born there

Foreigners are people residing in France but who do not have French nationality. In 2024, 6.0 million foreigners lived in France.

A majority of them (5.1 million) were born abroad and were therefore also immigrants. 0.9 million were born in France, mainly minors who, subject to residence requirements, will be able to obtain French nationality automatically at the age of 18 or earlier at the age of 13.

In 2024, foreign nationals represented 8.8% of the population living in France. This proportion was lower than the European Union average (9.6%) and that of France's neighbouring countries.

The nationalities of foreign nationals living in France have diversified over time, reflecting changes in their origins. In 1968, nearly three out of four foreigners living in France were nationals of a European country and one in four were nationals of an African country. In 2024, nearly half of foreigners living in France were nationals of an African country and one‑third were nationals of a European country.