Women have an average of their first child at 29, 5 years later in 1974, according to a study published Wednesday July 16 by INSEE which confirms a trend observed since the late 1970s in France and the European Union.
/ AFP photo / Didier Pallages
The number of cumulative deaths over 12 slippery months exceeded that of births in France for the first time since 1945, according to INSEE.
From June 1, 2024 to May 31, 2025, France deducted 651,000 deaths and 650,000 births, i.e. a negative demographic balance (-1000): a first since 80 ansaccording to INSEE. Since 1945, the number of births had always been higher than that of deaths.
“It is a novelty to switch to the negative side”, Analysis Julien Damon, Demographer and former director of studies of the National Family Allowance Fund (CNAF), with France Info. “There has been an acceleration of demographic change. This rocking was provided by INSEE pour 2035so we took 10 years in advance. That is to say how decrease in fertility is important. “
Should France worry? “Oui”, estimates Julien Damon, who recalls that “Most European Union countries have been in this situation for a long time.” “France changes demographic regime”, continues the demographer, who predicts that “All of our social balances can gradually be destabilized”.
Women have their first child on average at 29
Women have an average of their first child at 29, 5 years later in 1974, according to a study published Wednesday July 16 by INSEE which confirms a trend observed since the late 1970s in France and the European Union.
“The average cyclical age of mothers at the birth of their first child reached 29.1 years in 2023, 0.9 years more than in 2013, 5.1 years more than in 1974 and 4.9 years more than in 1967“, Specifies the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies.
From the mid -1970s to the late 1990s, this decline of age could be explained by the dissemination of contraception methods, the extension of studies and “The growing participation of women in the labor market“, Underlines the Institute. Other factors have since taken over, such as the socio-economic, political or environmental context that may have” been able to “lead to postpone fertility decisions“, or even an increased schooling period.
The rise in age to first maternity unless there is no surprise age to the following maternity units, notes INSEE: mothers who give birth to their second child in 2023 are aged 31.6 years on average, 4.8 years more than in 1967. As for the deadline between births, it does not increase “that very slightly“, at 4.2 years on average, 0.1 years more than in 2013.
Far from being a French exception, this rise from age to the first child concerns all countries of the European Union.
