France in Brief:

Essential facts.France is a modern Europeanstateand arepublic, and is one of the world'stop five economies. The French head of state is the President, elected by universal suffrage (2012 elections) : the president governs through a Council of Ministers and a parliament made up of two chambers, the National Assembly (lower house) and the Senate (upper house).Metropolitan France (France in Europe) has a population of slightly over 62 million, a little more than that of the United Kingdom. For more key data seefacts and figures

France Population 2014The last census recording the total population of France was carried out in 2011 and the total figure for the country was declared at 65.8 million, thereby making it the twentieth most populous country in the world at that time, although this number included overseas territories and departments. The population was just 63.1 million in 2011 otherwise.France Population 2014In 2013, the population of France was estimated at 64.3 million. The 2014 estimate is 64.6 million, not including overseas territories, which makes it the 21st most populous country now. When censuses in France are carried out they are split into two separate sets of statistics. The overall figure in 2011 of 65,821,885 includes all the overseas territories outside of the country itself and these includeReunion,Martinique, FrenchGuyana,MayotteandGuadeloupe.A second set of figures is subsequently obtained for Metropolitan France and this comprises all French territories located inEurope effectively mainland France and the Island of Corsica. In 2011 once again, the population for Metropolitan France alone was recorded at 63,136,180 which put it 22ndon the list in world terms.The distinction between the two sets of figures is debatable in terms of importance but they can be useful to keep apart when considering areas such as population density.

Considerable growthThe figures reported in 2011 confirmed that France as a whole was growing at a faster rate than most other countries across the globe. In fact, its natural growth, which excludes any immigration figures, accounted for nearly the whole of the natural growth recorded in the European Union in 2003.The birth rate exceeded the death rate by a considerable amount -- 302,432 in 2006 which was the highest recorded figure since 1973. Further contrasts in the rates led to the final figures declared in the 2011 census. The country also has the second highest number of children per family in Europe; 2.01 when the last figures were announced.ImmigrationLike many of its neighbours, France represents a huge attraction for immigration and when statistics were released in 2008, it was reported that 11.8 million foreign born immigrants and their immediate descendants were residents in the country; a figure which accounted for around 19% of the total population of the time.Exact figures in relation to this are slightly hampered by the fact that it is illegal for the French state as an entity to compile statistics when it comes to race and ethnicity. Data in relation to this is therefore supplied by independent agencies such as INED and INSEE.What is clear however is that Frances population is growing quite significantly. Already twentieth in the global list, that large discrepancy in the birth and death rate shows no signs of narrowing and as such, it will be fascinating to see the results from the next national census.

France DemographicsA law from 1872 prohibits the French Republic from conducting census by making any distinction between its citizens in terms of race or religious beliefs, so French demographics can be a bit hard to determine. In 2004, it was estimated that 85% of the population of Metropolitan France was white or of European origin, with 10% from NorthAfrica, 3.5% Black and 1.5% Asian.This law does not apply to surveys or polls, and a marketing company called Solis estimated numbers of ethnic minorities in 2009 as 5.23% Maghrebis, 2.94% black (a majority from Sub-Saharan Africa) and 0.71% Turkish.Largest cities in FranceFor a country of such size, it is surprising that there is only one city proper with a population of 1 million. The largest cities in France include: Paris(2.2 million) The wider Paris urban area had a population of over 12.1 million in 2013. Marseille(853,000) While it's the second largest city in France, it has the third largest urban and metropolitan area with a population of 1.6 million. Lyon (484,000) Including suburbs and satellite towns, Lyon is the most populous area of France with a population of 1.7 million. Toulouse (449,000) This is the fourth largest metropolitan area of France with a population of 1.2 million.

France Population GrowthMetropolitan France is expected to see a population that grows by another 9 million people over the next 40 years, placing the country's population around 72 million by 2050. To reach this projection, fertility rates will need to stay about the same, mortality will need to decrease, and net migration will need to remain about 100,000 annually.With its growing population despite decreases in many of its neighboring countries, France is finally back in the race to be the most populous country in Europe. By 2050, it's expected thatGermanywill have just 70-74 million (compared to 2012's 82 million), while Britain's population will be about 73 million, compared to today's 63 million.

Paris Population 2014Paris is a bustling city that is full of life and flavor. As the capital city ofFrance, the city is home to numerous government buildings, but it is also home to quaint cobblestone paved streets and rich historical landmarks. One of the most infamous landmarks in Paris is the Eiffel Tower. Each year, the Eiffel Tower has a staggering 7 million visitors, and in 2010, the Eiffel Tower had its 250th million visitor. The rest of the city is often just as bustling as well, probably because the total population of Paris is 2.34 million people.Paris Population 2014According to the latest estimate, the population of the city of Paris is 2.34 million people. However, the population of the surrounding suburbs is estimated to be 10.5 million. Today, the people who live in Paris and the surrounding areas have a slightly higher than average income and a younger median age in comparison with the rest of France. These people also are largely diverse and more immigrants live in Paris and its surrounding cities than they do in the rest of France.AfterWorldWar I the population of Paris first reached 3 million inhabitants. The war was over, and many people were moving to the city in order to have access to merchants and various goods that were hard to come by in the country. The city began to bustle shortly after the war, and was one of the first parts of France that began to recuperate. For the rest of the 20th century though, the population began to decline slightly, and by the 1960s it fell dramatically to 2.2 million people. During this time period though, other large cities around the world such asLondonandNew YorkCity also saw a major decrease in their population. At the beginning of the 21st century the population began rising once again and between 1999 and 2009 there was a consistent growth of approximately 100,000 people per year. This is due to the large amount of people aged 18-40 living in the area, and having children.

Parisian PeopleThe people who live in and around Paris are very different from those who live in other parts of France. Not only is the median age younger, and their income higher, but they also live very active lives and are fairly relaxed. One of the reasons that many people live in and around Paris is due to the high wages in the city. In the Parisian region, higher wages are normal, and people can make more money in the city doing a job, than they can in the countryside doing the exact same job. The median income in Paris is approximately 25,000 Euros, however it fluctuates depending on the arrondissement around Paris. For example, in median income in the 7th arrondissement is over 41,000 Euros. In general, people who live in the Western parts of the city make more money than those who live elsewhere in the city.The people of Paris are also quiet diverse. Paris is considered the most diverse city inEurope, and it is estimated that around 23% of the population migrated to Paris sometime after they were born. Many of these people also immigrated to France. 20% of the Parisian population is known as first generation immigrants, and at least 40% of children who live in Paris have one parent who was a first generation immigrant. Immigration levels are very high in Paris, and emigration levels are almost just as high. People tend to immigrate to the city when they are young, yet once they reach retirement age, they migrate to the countryside in order to live a more peaceful and less expensive life.

Marseille Population 2014Marseille (also known as Marseilles or Masalia in antiquity) is the second-largest city inFranceafterParisand the oldest city in the country with a history going back more than 2,600 years. In 2014, Marseille has an estimated population of 855,000.Marseille Population 2014Marseille has an estimated population of 855,000, up slightly from 850,700 in 2010. Population growth in Marseille has been fairly stagnant except for sizable growth in 2006 through 2008. Sometimes called the secret capital of France, Marseille has an urban population of more than 1.58 million and a metropolitan population of 1.62 million. The population density of the city proper is 3,500 people per square kilometer (9,200/sq mi).Marseille DemographicsMarseille has always been an important gateway into France as a port city. Over hundreds of years, this has transformed Marseille into a cosmopolitan melting pot with many immigrants. The 20th century in particular saw many large waves of immigration due to political unrest and poor economic conditions inEuropeand globally. At the end of the 19th century, Italians and Greeks began immigrating to Marseille, with about 40% of the city's population being Italian by the 1950s.Other major waves of immigrants have included Russians (1917), Armenians (1915 and 1920s), Vietnamese (1920s, 50s and post-1975), Corsicans (1920s and 30s), Spanish (post-1935), North Africans (between WWI and WWII), and Sub-Saharan Africans (post-1945).In 2006, the single largest nationality was residents of Maghrebian origin fromAlgeria(70,000), followed byComoros(45,000). About 30% of the population today has Italian ancestry. Marseille is now home to the second-largest Armenian and Corsican population sin the country, with large populations of Chinese, Comorians, Turks, Maghrebis, and Vietnamese.Just a decade ago, the majority of the population were Roman Catholic (405,000), followed by Muslim (150,000), Armenian Apostolic (80,000), Jewish (80,000), Protestant, Eastern Orthodox and Buddhist. In 2014, an estimated 40% of Marseille is now Muslim, and it is predicted that Marseille will become the first Muslim-majority city in France. Marseille also has the 3rd largest urban population of Jewish people in all of Europe.Marseille: Most Dangerous City in EuropeAside from being a major tourist destination, Marseille has also come to be known for its violence, drug war and even poverty on the outskirts. Outside of Marseille sit some of the poorest areas in the poorest city in the country with nearly 40% of the population below the poverty line, compared to a still-high 26% in Marseille and 15% in France as a whole.While the risk of dying before 65 is 23% lower than the national average in the richer areas of Marseille, the risk is 30% higher in the northern region. Marseille, with its population of 800,000, has nearly as many drug-related murders proportionally asNew YorkCity, with a population 10 times higher.Marseille also follows a reversal of the typical French pattern of city boundaries being wealthier with the suburbs more troubled with less income. In Marseille, the population in the city proper is fairly poor, while the rich live in the suburb.Marseille was recently ranked as the most dangerous city in Europe, as the city has a reputation for being the drug-smuggling hub of Europe where entire neighborhoods are out of police control.Marseille Population GrowthBetween 1975 and 1990, Marseille lost 12% of its population, or over 100,000 people, with its population remaining stagnant at about 840,000 for over a decade. Despite its troubles, Marseille is preparing for renewed population growth over the next decade.

Population: 66.3 million (2014 estimate including overseas territories)

Life expectancy: Men 78.6 years, Women 84.9 years

Population over 65:17.9%

Population under 15:18.7%

Population growth growth rate:0.45%

Birth rate:12.49 / 1,000 population (2014 estimate)

Death rate:9.06 / 1,000 population (2014 estimate)

Estimated net immigration 2009-2013:+649,998

Urban population:85.8%

01.The world's oldest person on verified record was French. Jeanne Calment died at the age of 122 in 1997. There are currently 20,452 centenarians living in France. By 2060 it is estimated there could be nearly 200,000.

02.Nearly 18% of Frances population is 65 or older. It is estimated that by 2060 over 32 million of Frances 73.6 million inhabitants will be over 60.

03.France has the highest birth rate in continental Europe with an estimated average of 2.08 children per woman in 2014.

04.Over half of all children in France are born to parents who are not married.

05.By 2020, every fourth person living in France will be older than 60.

06.The French population is expected to grow by 9 million people to 72.3 million by 2050. If Germanys population continues to decline, France could then be the most populous country in western Europe.

07.In 2012, only 40% of French people over 55 were employed but this was a rise of 10 percentage points from 2002.

08.People in France work 1479 hours a year, 286 hours less than the OECD average of 1765 hours.

09.In the 1960s, a quarter of French people met their first life partner at local dances. Now the most common meeting places are parties with friends (18%), a place of study (15%), public places (15%) and nightclubs (11%). The Internet does not yet appear to play a major role.

10.French people are more satisfied with their lives than the OECD average, with 79% of French people saying they have more positive than negative experiences in their day compared with an OECD an average of 76%.