France Rate of Natural Increase

The rate of natural increase (RNI), which measures population growth by subtracting the crude death rate from the crude birth rate, is relatively low in France compared to many other countries, but it stands out among its Western European neighbors. As of recent years, France’s RNI hovers just above zero, reflecting a modest natural population growth, largely due to its comparatively higher fertility rate (around 1.8 children per woman) among large Western European countries. In contrast, neighboring countries such as Germany and Italy have negative or near-zero RNI, as their birth rates have fallen below replacement level and their populations are aging more rapidly. Belgium and Switzerland also have low RNIs, though not as negative as Germany or Italy. Thus, while France faces similar demographic challenges as its neighbors, such as an aging population, it maintains a slightly more positive natural population growth, primarily due to higher fertility and a younger population structure.

Data from US Census International Database