Two children per woman in France in 2006: are immigrants to blame?

Abstract

Foreign women account for 12% of births in France, and immigrant women, including naturalized French citizens, 15%. The fertility of foreign women is higher than that of French women (3.3 children versus 1.8 in 2004), but since only a small minority of the population is concerned, the effect on overall fertility is minimal. These extra births increased the fertility rate of metropolitan France by just 0.1 children in 2004, from 1.8 to 1.9. With or without immigration, French fertility is among the highest in Europe.