France: immigration

How many people apply for asylum in France?

OFPRA registered 145,210 applications for international protection in 2025, including 730 applications for stateless status, 5.5% fewer than the 153,715 of 2024, according to its 2025 annual summary (27 January 2026). First applications fell 14.4%, while re-examination requests rose 43% and made up 23.2% of the total.

OFPRA counts applications lodged with it, including children accompanying adults. Its full activity report and the underlying data are published later in the year, including on data.gouv.fr.

Official sources: OFPRA: 2025 summary

Where do asylum seekers in France come from?

Afghanistan was the main country of origin of asylum seekers in France in 2025, with 13,800 applications, followed by the Democratic Republic of the Congo (13,240), Haiti (12,600) and Ukraine (12,310), according to OFPRA's 2025 annual summary. Applications from Ukraine rose 2.3% on 2024, while those from Afghanistan fell.

The four countries each exceeded 12,000 applications in 2025. OFPRA's annual report gives a full breakdown by nationality, sex and age.

Official sources: OFPRA: 2025 summary

What share of asylum claims are accepted in France?

OFPRA granted protection in 41.2% of its decisions in 2025, before any appeal to the National Court of Asylum (CNDA), according to its 2025 annual summary. It issued 156,590 decisions, its highest number ever and 10.3% more than in 2024, which allowed it to reduce its backlog by 15,000 cases since January 2025.

Protection means refugee status or subsidiary protection. Rejected applicants can appeal to the CNDA, which grants protection in a further share of cases, so the final protection rate including appeals is higher than OFPRA's own rate.

Official sources: OFPRA: 2025 summary

How many people become French citizens each year?

98,139 people acquired French nationality in 2025, down from 103,661 in 2024, according to INSEE's key figures on acquisitions of French nationality, based on interior and justice ministry data. 42,063 were naturalisations by decree, 53,912 were by declaration, including 17,579 through marriage and 32,923 early declarations by children born in France, and 1,981 were without formality.

Naturalisation by decree is discretionary and requires, among other conditions, residence in France. Declarations are entitlements for spouses of French citizens and for children born in France to foreign parents. The total was 128,560 in 2021.

Official sources: INSEE: acquisitions of French nationality

How many foreigners live in France?

6.0 million foreign nationals lived in France in 2024, 8.8% of the population, according to INSEE's study 6.0 million foreigners live in France (Insee Première No. 2076, October 2025). 5.1 million of them were born abroad and so are also immigrants; 0.9 million were born in France, mostly children who can become French under residence conditions.

INSEE notes that the share is below the EU average of 9.6%. Foreigners are defined by nationality, while immigrants are people born abroad as foreigners, whatever their current nationality, so the two groups overlap only partly. Because the census collection method changed, the 2024 figures are not directly comparable with earlier years.

Official sources: INSEE: foreigners living in France in 2024

How many foreign-born people live in France?

According to the UN Population Division, the share of people born abroad in France was 13.8% in 2024. That compares with 12.3% in 2015. Europe & Central Asia median: 11.7%; France is 23rd highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 47th of 193.

What is net migration in France?

The UN Population Division puts net migration in France at 91,737 in 2025. Its high point since 2005 was 2005, at 191,417; its low point was 2015, at -345. Across Europe & Central Asia the middle value was 158, and France placed 5th highest of 52. World rank, highest first: 18th of 193.

How many refugees are in France?

According to UNHCR, the number of refugees in the country in France was 788,419 in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 62,365; France is 4th highest of 50. Worldwide: 10th of 169.

How many people from France are refugees?

In 2025, the number of refugees from the country living abroad in France was 166, according to UNHCR. Since 2005 it has ranged from 38 (2021) to 286 (2005). It is 31st highest of 49 in Europe & Central Asia, where the median is 533. Worldwide: 138th of 189.

How big are remittances in France's economy?

The World Bank puts personal remittances received in France at 1.3% of GDP in 2025. That is the highest since at least 2005. Europe & Central Asia median: 1.4% of GDP; France is 25th highest of 47. Worldwide: 75th of 127.