Editorial: Le Monde

• France has long been an exception in Europe in terms of demographics, resisting the decline in fertility rates until recently.
• French demographic records are showing signs of deterioration. For the first time since World War II, France is expected to have a negative natural balance in 2025.
• The falling birth rate and an aging population will have significant impacts on public finances, the sustainability of the social model, and the healthcare sector.
• The effects of the aging population will also impact available workforce.
• President Emmanuel Macron has called for a 'demographic rearmament', though pro-natal policies struggle to have tangible effects.
• Immigration will not be enough to tackle France's demographic problem.
• France will have to find ways to improve the employment rate and adjust the pension system.
• A parliamentary mission will be discussing the causes and consequences of the falling birth rate in France.

Conclusion: Although demographics do not yield to politics, politicians will need to urgently start taking interest in demography to face these challenges.

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