What is the population of France in 2026?
France has a population of 68,720,337 people (2025 estimate), which is 23rd in the world and about 0.83% of the global total.
Officially French Republic
Population 2025
68,720,337
0.83% of world population
World Bank, 2025Annual Growth
+0.25%
+169,052 people a year
World Bank, 2025Density
127/km²
538,950 km² land area
World Bank, 2023Median Age
42.3 years
Life expectancy 83.0 years
Our World in Data, 2025About France
France, officially the French Republic, is a transcontinental country spanning Western Europe and overseas territories in the Americas, Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans. It is the European Union's largest country by area and the third-largest in Europe overall. France is a founding member of NATO, the UN Security Council (with veto power), the G7, G20, and the European Union. With the world's seventh-largest economy by nominal GDP and a rich cultural heritage, France remains one of the most influential nations globally.
Country Facts
- Capital
- Paris
- Continent
- Europe
- ISO codes
- FR · FRA
- Demonym
- French
- Currency
- Euro (EUR €)
- Government
- Semi-presidential system, Decentralization, Unitary state
- State inception
- 481
- Time zone
- UTC+01:00
- Driving side
- Right
- Calling code
- +33
- Internet TLD
- .fr
- Land neighbours
- 8
Languages
- French
Religions
- Christianity (63%)
- Islam (8%)
- None (28%)
- Judaism (0.5%)
- Buddhism (0.5%)
Demographics
France has Europe's second-largest population after Germany. Unlike most European nations, France maintained relatively stable fertility rates throughout the 20th century, partly due to family-friendly policies. About 12% of the population are immigrants, with significant communities from North Africa, Sub-Saharan Africa, and other European countries. The population is aging but less severely than Germany or Italy. Paris and its metropolitan area contain over 12 million people.
Economy
France has a highly developed, diversified economy. It leads in aerospace (Airbus), luxury goods (LVMH, L'Oréal, Hermès), nuclear energy (producing 70% of its electricity), and tourism (most visited country globally). Agriculture is highly productive, making France the EU's leading agricultural producer. The country has substantial automotive, pharmaceutical, and defense industries. France maintains a strong welfare state with extensive social services.
Major exports
- Aircraft
- Pharmaceuticals
- Automobiles
- Wine
- Perfumes and cosmetics
- Machinery
- Luxury goods
- Wheat
Major imports
- Machinery
- Vehicles
- Crude oil
- Aircraft parts
- Plastics
- Chemicals
- Electronics
Health
Education
Environment
Infrastructure
Quality of Life
Geography
Metropolitan France extends from the Mediterranean to the North Sea and from the Rhine to the Atlantic. Landscapes include the Alps and Pyrenees mountains, the French Riviera coastline, the Loire Valley, Provence, and the Paris Basin. France has diverse climates: Mediterranean in the south, oceanic in the west, and continental in the east. Overseas territories include French Guiana, Martinique, Guadeloupe, Réunion, and French Polynesia.
Natural resources
- Coal
- Iron ore
- Bauxite
- Zinc
- Uranium
- Antimony
- Arsenic
- Potash
- Feldspar
- Fluorspar
- Gypsum
- Timber
- Arable land
Climate
- Oceanic, Mediterranean, Continental
Military
Age & Gender Distribution
Population by five-year age band, UN World Population Prospects 2024.
Male Female
- Age 0–14
- 16.5%
- Age 15–64
- 61.3%
- Age 65+
- 22.1%
| Age band | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| 100+ | 4,612 | 26,767 |
| 95-99 | 48,065 | 172,194 |
| 90-94 | 220,406 | 514,432 |
| 85-89 | 503,519 | 847,729 |
| 80-84 | 769,199 | 1,057,648 |
| 75-79 | 1,349,206 | 1,680,434 |
| 70-74 | 1,667,693 | 1,974,314 |
| 65-69 | 1,829,526 | 2,072,469 |
| 60-64 | 2,001,512 | 2,174,016 |
| 55-59 | 2,063,626 | 2,191,827 |
| 50-54 | 2,164,348 | 2,233,351 |
| 45-49 | 2,025,887 | 2,047,171 |
| 40-44 | 2,007,856 | 2,095,298 |
| 35-39 | 1,950,388 | 2,038,322 |
| 30-34 | 1,882,615 | 1,899,824 |
| 25-29 | 1,947,311 | 1,902,513 |
| 20-24 | 2,088,294 | 1,982,397 |
| 15-19 | 2,117,340 | 2,012,508 |
| 10-14 | 2,044,563 | 1,947,878 |
| 5-9 | 1,860,341 | 1,776,272 |
| 0-4 | 1,715,370 | 1,639,492 |
Population History & Projection (1950–2100)
Observed population to 2024, then the UN medium-variant projection.
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 1950 | 41,883,119 |
| 1960 | 46,428,134 |
| 1970 | 50,813,075 |
| 1980 | 53,941,061 |
| 1990 | 56,990,238 |
| 2000 | 59,483,717 |
| 2010 | 63,417,363 |
| 2020 | 65,905,277 |
| 2030 | 67,107,691 |
| 2040 | 67,938,904 |
| 2050 | 68,219,675 |
| 2060 | 67,850,295 |
| 2070 | 67,678,905 |
| 2080 | 68,024,937 |
| 2090 | 68,421,883 |
| 2100 | 68,484,558 |
History
France has been a major power since the Middle Ages, with its cultural influence peaking during the reign of Louis XIV. The French Revolution of 1789 transformed world politics, introducing concepts of citizens' rights and secular government. Napoleon Bonaparte's empire reshaped European boundaries. France endured two World Wars, with significant portions of the country occupied during WWII. The Fifth Republic, established by Charles de Gaulle in 1958, created the current presidential system.
Culture
French culture has profoundly influenced art, philosophy, cuisine, fashion, cinema, and literature. France is the birthplace of Gothic architecture, Impressionism, existentialism, and nouvelle cuisine. French is spoken across five continents. The Louvre is the world's most visited museum. France has produced towering cultural figures: Victor Hugo, Claude Monet, Coco Chanel, and Jean-Paul Sartre. The concept of 'joie de vivre' captures the French appreciation for life's pleasures.
Current Challenges
France faces economic challenges including high unemployment (especially among youth), pension system sustainability, public debt, and deindustrialization. Social tensions around immigration, secularism, and national identity periodically surface. The 'gilets jaunes' (yellow vests) movement highlighted economic inequality concerns. Climate adaptation, particularly for agriculture and water resources, presents growing challenges.
Future Outlook
France aims to lead European climate efforts and maintain strategic autonomy. Investment in nuclear energy, tech startups, and green industries positions France for energy transition leadership. Population is projected to grow modestly to 72 million by 2050. France seeks to balance its welfare model with economic competitiveness while maintaining its cultural influence globally.
Highlights
What France Is Known For
- World's most visited country
- 49 UNESCO World Heritage Sites
- Largest economy in the EU (by some measures)
- Global leader in nuclear energy
- Birthplace of haute cuisine and haute couture
Interesting Facts About France
- France is the most visited country in the world with over 90 million tourists annually
- The Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary and stood only for 20 years
- France produces over 1,200 varieties of cheese
- The French invented the metric system during the Revolution
- Louis XIX was king of France for only 20 minutes—the shortest reign ever
- France spans 12 time zones, more than any other country
- The Louvre would take 100 days to view each piece for 30 seconds
How France Compares
Population against the ten most populous countries.
| Name | Population |
|---|---|
| India | 1.46B |
| China | 1.41B |
| United States | 341.8M |
| Indonesia | 285.7M |
| Pakistan | 255.2M |
| Nigeria | 237.5M |
| Brazil | 212.8M |
| Bangladesh | 175.7M |
| Russia | 143.5M |
| Ethiopia | 135.5M |
| France | 68.7M |
Major Cities in France
1 metropolitan area in our city dataset.
- Paris11.1M · +0.25%
Countries Bordering France
8 land borders.
- Andorra83K · +1.17%
- Belgium11.9M · +0.70%
- Germany83.5M · −0.03%
- Italy58.9M · −0.06%
- Luxembourg687K · +1.46%
- Monaco38K · −0.75%
- Spain49.4M · +1.03%
- Switzerland9.09M · +0.96%
France Population FAQ
Is the population of France growing or shrinking?
France's population is growing at +0.25% per year, a change of roughly 169,052 people annually.
What is the capital of France?
The capital of France is Paris.
What is the largest city in France?
Paris is the largest metropolitan area in France, with about 11.1M people.
How densely populated is France?
France has 127/km² across 538,950 km² of land area.
What is life expectancy in France?
Life expectancy at birth in France is 83.0 years (2024).
What is the median age in France?
The median age in France is 42.3 years, meaning half the population is younger than that and half older.
Which continent is France in?
France is in Europe.