Changes in the number of births in France between 1980 and 2001

Since the end of 1997, the number of births has steadily increased. In 2001, 774,800 babies were born in Metropolitan France, the same number as in 2000. It was the first time in twenty years that such a birth rate had been observed over two successive years.

Short-term fertility indicator (average number of children per woman) in 2000

With 1.89 children per woman (1.9 in 2001), France is joint leader with Ireland, which is currently experiencing a genuine baby boom. In this country, the number of first births increased by 29% between 1994 and 2000 and the birth rate is 14.6 live births for 1,000 inhabitants against 13.1 in France. Germany has one of the lowest birth rates in Europe: 9 live births for 1,000 inhabitants.

In our Western societies, the decision to have children is taken increasingly late. In France today, the average age of women having their first child is 29.4 compared with 27.2 in 1970. There are many explanations for this: more efficient use of contraception, longer studies for women, the relative deterioration of the image of the mother in the working world, difficulties in finding child-care solutions… Since both male and female fertility decrease with age, the chances of conceiving are reduced: from 25% per cycle at the age of 25, they fall to 12% per cycle at 35 and 6% per cycle at 40.

Having a child at forty: genuine progress?

Like most developed countries, France is experiencing a “twin boom”.

In 1998, 14.7 births per 1,000 were of twins, against 8.9 per 1,000 in 1972. Fertility treatments have been responsible for two-thirds of the increased proportion of twins over the last thirty years, with the remaining third related to the increasingly advanced age at which women become pregnant. However, the twin record is paradoxically held by Africa, where the birth rate is very high (37/1,000 inhabitants against 10/1,000 in Europe). While Africa only holds 13% of the world population, 40% of twins are born there (20 twin births per 1,000 births compared to 12 in Europe). For the moment, there is no explanation for this phenomenon.

Changes in infant mortality (children who die before the age of 1) in France

While the number of multiple births is growing (along with the concomitant increased risk of premature birth), improved neonatal care has led to a fall in the infant mortality rate over the last twenty years.

In France, since the 10th January 2002, the morning-after pill has been supplied to girls under eighteen who request it free of charge and with no prescription or parental permission required. According to Family Planning, 95% of unwanted pregnancies can be avoided by taking this “emergency contraception” within 24 hours.

In the Western world today, even though the average age of first pregnancy is rising, thousands of young women under eighteen are still having babies each year. In 1997, they numbered 4,146 in Metropolitan France.

French abortion law was relaxed in July 2000, allowing abortions until the 12th week of pregnancy (as was already the case in a certain number of European countries). This should enable the number of unwanted pregnancies to be limited, even though there are still many practical obstacles to the implementation of abortion in France, particularly late abortion.