Introduction to France and the Francophone world – YLAN0005 SMLC - HKU - V.Martinez Demography: France is the second most populated country in Europe after Germany and before Great Britain and Italy. France is champion of fecundity in Europe. A mini baby boom! -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------A majority of the children are born “outside marriage. 50.5% of parents are having a baby without being married. Around 30 years ago, only 11% of the population was. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Mothers are getting older and older when having a baby, around 30 years old. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More and more mothers work and have a family. 85% of the women between 25 and 49 years old are working. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------There are fewer marriage and more PACS. The French are getting married at a later age. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Life expectancy is increasing, 84 for women, 77 for men. The number of young people is decreasing. -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------More people are living alone; 14 % of the population. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Article extracted from the French Newspaper: Liberation. 18/01/2008 1