In 2025, the number of deaths surpassed the number of births in France. At the Retail Data Day on February 5, 2026, and at the BNP Financial Services Cetelem's Observatory barometer on consumption trends, the theme of ageing and the impact on the economy, retail and consumption dominated the discussions. Details here.
Faced with ageing populations in Europe, consumption is set to change shape. In 2025, France recorded 646,000 births and 651,000 deaths. For the first time since 1945, the curves crossed. With life expectancy continuing to rise, the 15 million seniors (65 and over) represented 22% of the French population at the end of 2025, compared with 16.4% in 2006, according to Insee. By 2050, they will represent 19 million and France will drop by 1 million people. “We have gone from a positive natural balance of 200,000 to 300,000 births per year ten years ago to a negative balance”, says Flavien Neuvy, Economist at the Cetelem Observatory.
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Article authors
Morgane Monteiro
Journalist
Journaliste économique pour mind Retail depuis 2024, j’analyse la transformation digitale du commerce.