Live births in France (including Mayotte since 2014)
Live births in France (including Mayotte since 2014) stood at 642,905 Number in 2025, according to INSEE – Institut national de la statistique et des études économiques (BDM). It is one of the indicators in the Population and demography table (Value · Annual), with a complete series running from 1994 to 2025. The complete series with an interactive chart, free to download.
This indicator in the Population and demography table
| Indicator | 2025 | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Live births by place of residence | |||||||||||
| France (including Mayotte since 2014) | 642,905 | 659,731 | 676,643 | 724,777 | 740,860 | 733,857 | 751,597 | 756,663 | 767,393 | 781,632 | |
| Île-de-France | 148,772 | 152,548 | 154,128 | 162,951 | 167,066 | 168,467 | 173,892 | 174,439 | 175,799 | 177,983 |
Understanding live births in France (including Mayotte since 2014)
This birth registration metric tallies the exact count of live newborns delivered to mothers whose place of residence falls within the defined national scope. A live birth is classified according to international statistical standards, requiring signs of life at delivery regardless of gestational duration, while stillbirths are strictly excluded. The geographic perimeter of this series incorporates historical mainland territories alongside specific overseas additions, expanding its baseline over time to maintain consistency with evolving administrative boundaries. This series differs from occurrence-based birth counts by assigning newborns to the mother's legal domicile rather than the physical location of the medical facility where the birth took place.
Analyzing this indicator requires attention to reporting lags and retrospective revisions as late civil declarations are processed by statistical authorities. Seasonal patterns, such as monthly variations in birth frequencies, require year-on-year comparisons rather than sequential monthly evaluations to avoid misleading conclusions driven by calendar composition. Researchers should verify historical breaks when comparing long-term trends, particularly given the inclusion criteria adjustments that altered the territorial baseline over the course of the series.
Frequently asked questions
- Are stillbirths included in this live birth count?
- No, stillbirths are entirely excluded; the metric counts only infants showing signs of life at birth.
- How is the geographic location of a birth determined in this data?
- Births are allocated based on the mother's legal place of residence rather than the hospital's physical location.
- Why is year-on-year comparison recommended over consecutive month analysis?
- Consecutive month comparisons can be distorted by seasonal birth patterns and varying calendar lengths, making annual matching more reliable.