France Is Certainly not Getting Younger
For the fourth year in a row, the birth rate in France is at a standstill, according to the results of a 2018 census published by the Insee on January 15, 2019. This drop affects all the social categories.
The rate of decrease continues, although it has slowed down since the year 2015: 12,000 fewer births in 2018, compared to 20,000 in 2015.
The average number of children per woman is now 1.87, compared to 2 in 2012. It is still below the minimum for renewing the older generations, which is 2.1 children per woman.
Emmanuelle Lucas for La Croix, suggests two reasons for this ongoing decrease: the fact that there are fewer and fewer woman in the age group that can have children, and the decrease in the fertility of these same women.
The role of birth control is not mentioned in this analysis, but in 2013, according to a survey by the National Institute of Demographic Studies, 89.5% of women between 25 and 29 declared they use artificial birth control.
Another question the census does not answer: the fertility rate of Muslims in France. A recent survey by the Pew Research Center offers a partial answer, estimating this rate at 2.6 children per women on the European level (survey November 29, 2017).
A single ray of hope: the number of marriages was on the rise in 2018, and the number of unnatural unions and “Pacs” (civil partnerships) decreased.
Sources: La Croix / Ined / Pew Research Center / FSSPX.News – 1/31/2019
