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The recently arrived immigrants in France
Mariana Andrei - Communication Coordinator
4 February 2015
A study written by Chantal Brutel, recently published on the National Institute for Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) website, addresses the number and profile of immigrants in France over the last 10 years. According to the author, 200,000 immigrants on average have entered France between 2004 - 2012. The author's meaning of immigrants includes any foreign people (who do not hold French citizenship), regardless of their country of origin (so it includes EU citizens as well).
5.8 million immigrants in France at the beginning of 2013
The immigrant population increased on average by 90,000 persons per year. At the beginning of 2013 there were 5.8 million immigrants living in France, or 8.8% of the resident population, 800,000 people more than in 2004, when they stood for 8.0% of the population.
The raise in immigrant population is the result of new entries on the territory (the immigration inflow). Between 2004 and 2012, 200,000 people on average arrived in France annually (0.3% of the population), 50,000 died and 60,000 left the country. Entries are higher in OECD countries (0.6% of the population). After a period of stability (2004-2009) the immigrant inflow raised again between 2009-2012. 230,000 immigrants arrived in France in 2012, 28,000 more than in 2004. The immigration inflow increased at an average rate of 1.6% per year between 2004-2012, similarly to all OECD countries.
More and more European immigration
Of the immigrants coming to France in 2012, almost one of two was borne in a European state and three of ten in African countries. European immigration is mostly from Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy or Germany. These five countries represent 57% of the Europe-born immigrant flows and one quarter of all entries in 2012. Half of the new African immigrants come from Maghreb. As regards the new China-born immigrants (3% of the admissions in 2012), they are almost just as numerous as those born in Germany.
Between 2009-2012 the number of European entries increased suddenly by 12% per year on average. Immigrants from Portugal, Spain and Italy account for more than half of this increase in France. Particularly the number of new immigrants from Spain and Portugal has almost doubled during this period, as a result of the economic crisis in their country.
By comparison, the number of immigrants who arrived in France from Africa between 2009 and 2012 has only slightly increased (+ 1% per year, on average). This increase was a result of the immigrant inflows from Morocco or Tunisia (+ 2.4% and + 2.9% per year respectively), whereas the inflow of immigrants from Algeria decreased (- 2.6% per year).
17% of the immigrants coming to France in 2012, aged under 16
At the beginning of 2012 the average age of immigrants living in France was 45 years, as compared to 40 years for the resident population. On the other hand the new immigrants arrived in 2012 are much younger, their average age is 28; half of them were 19-36 years old upon arrival. Men and women have about the same age upon arrival in France. Immigrants from Europe are a little older than those from other continents: one of four immigrants who came from Belgium to France is older than 49 years and one of four immigrants from the United Kingdom is older than 56. Asian immigrants are younger: one Asian immigrant out of two is aged 20-33. Of the total number of immigrants arrived in 2012, 17% are under 16.
A very feminine immigration from Asia
Until mid 1970s immigration flows were mainly male, to satisfy existing labour demand. At that time women stood for 44% of immigration flows. In 1974 restrictions were applied to the migration of unqualified labour force and the family migration, mainly female, started to raise, reaching 58% of entries. Since mid 1980s women migrate more frequently in other purposes than family reasons, for instance to find a job according to their qualifications or for study. Women are now a majority within the immigrant population in France, in the 20-30 years age group. Data vary however depending on their area of origin: 59% of Asian immigrants are women, as compared to 51% of European ones, which can be explained mainly through the very intense Chinese female immigration.
More graduates among the new comers
63% of the immigrants who arrived in France in 2012 hold at least one bachelor's degree or equivalent diploma, while one quarter of them have no study diplomas. Considering the representative countries for immigration in France, the least qualified are Portuguese and Turkish citizens (56% and 57%). The opposite applies to citizens from the US, China, Spain, Italy and Russia, more than 50% of whom hold higher education diplomas. Between 2004-2012 the share of immigrants with a bachelor's degree equivalent education level raised by about 7%. Immigrants from America or Oceania have a small contribution to the share of graduates (12%), while Europeans even have a negative contribution (-9%) given that the percentage of graduates dropped between 2009 - 2012.
Europeans, frequently employed in the year of arrival in France
40% of the immigrants above 16 years old arrived in 2012, who were not enrolled in the French education system, were employed the same year. 55% of the European immigrants who came to France in 2012 started a job in 2013, 2.5 times more than Africans (21%). These differences can be partly explained by the population structure by gender, age and educational level. In 2012 the share of immigrants having a job was very high among immigrants from Germany, Spain and Portugal (70%).
Between 2004-2008 the employment share of new immigrants raised by 6%, to 41%, then it settled, despite the higher education level, following the economic crisis. In 2012 newly come women immigrants found employment more difficultly than men (29% as compared to 52%).
Six of ten new immigrants live in families
Of the total immigrant population arrived in 2012, aged above 20, more than half said they live in couples since the year or arrival. Women are more frequently in a relationship than men (57% as compared to 46%). A smaller percentage of the Europeans who arrived in 2012 stated they were in a relationship, as compared to Africans. Particularly in the case of Asian immigrants, the partners proved to be more often immigrants than non-immigrants. The percentage of immigrants who live in a couple increased during 2004-2009. Seven of ten male immigrants have lived in families since the year of their arrival in France, which means they either came together with their partner/ wife, or they joined a previously settled family member.
Source:
http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/document.asp?reg_id=0&ref_id=ip1524
5.8 million immigrants in France at the beginning of 2013
The immigrant population increased on average by 90,000 persons per year. At the beginning of 2013 there were 5.8 million immigrants living in France, or 8.8% of the resident population, 800,000 people more than in 2004, when they stood for 8.0% of the population.
The raise in immigrant population is the result of new entries on the territory (the immigration inflow). Between 2004 and 2012, 200,000 people on average arrived in France annually (0.3% of the population), 50,000 died and 60,000 left the country. Entries are higher in OECD countries (0.6% of the population). After a period of stability (2004-2009) the immigrant inflow raised again between 2009-2012. 230,000 immigrants arrived in France in 2012, 28,000 more than in 2004. The immigration inflow increased at an average rate of 1.6% per year between 2004-2012, similarly to all OECD countries.
More and more European immigration
Of the immigrants coming to France in 2012, almost one of two was borne in a European state and three of ten in African countries. European immigration is mostly from Portugal, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy or Germany. These five countries represent 57% of the Europe-born immigrant flows and one quarter of all entries in 2012. Half of the new African immigrants come from Maghreb. As regards the new China-born immigrants (3% of the admissions in 2012), they are almost just as numerous as those born in Germany.
Between 2009-2012 the number of European entries increased suddenly by 12% per year on average. Immigrants from Portugal, Spain and Italy account for more than half of this increase in France. Particularly the number of new immigrants from Spain and Portugal has almost doubled during this period, as a result of the economic crisis in their country.
By comparison, the number of immigrants who arrived in France from Africa between 2009 and 2012 has only slightly increased (+ 1% per year, on average). This increase was a result of the immigrant inflows from Morocco or Tunisia (+ 2.4% and + 2.9% per year respectively), whereas the inflow of immigrants from Algeria decreased (- 2.6% per year).
17% of the immigrants coming to France in 2012, aged under 16
At the beginning of 2012 the average age of immigrants living in France was 45 years, as compared to 40 years for the resident population. On the other hand the new immigrants arrived in 2012 are much younger, their average age is 28; half of them were 19-36 years old upon arrival. Men and women have about the same age upon arrival in France. Immigrants from Europe are a little older than those from other continents: one of four immigrants who came from Belgium to France is older than 49 years and one of four immigrants from the United Kingdom is older than 56. Asian immigrants are younger: one Asian immigrant out of two is aged 20-33. Of the total number of immigrants arrived in 2012, 17% are under 16.
A very feminine immigration from Asia
Until mid 1970s immigration flows were mainly male, to satisfy existing labour demand. At that time women stood for 44% of immigration flows. In 1974 restrictions were applied to the migration of unqualified labour force and the family migration, mainly female, started to raise, reaching 58% of entries. Since mid 1980s women migrate more frequently in other purposes than family reasons, for instance to find a job according to their qualifications or for study. Women are now a majority within the immigrant population in France, in the 20-30 years age group. Data vary however depending on their area of origin: 59% of Asian immigrants are women, as compared to 51% of European ones, which can be explained mainly through the very intense Chinese female immigration.
More graduates among the new comers
63% of the immigrants who arrived in France in 2012 hold at least one bachelor's degree or equivalent diploma, while one quarter of them have no study diplomas. Considering the representative countries for immigration in France, the least qualified are Portuguese and Turkish citizens (56% and 57%). The opposite applies to citizens from the US, China, Spain, Italy and Russia, more than 50% of whom hold higher education diplomas. Between 2004-2012 the share of immigrants with a bachelor's degree equivalent education level raised by about 7%. Immigrants from America or Oceania have a small contribution to the share of graduates (12%), while Europeans even have a negative contribution (-9%) given that the percentage of graduates dropped between 2009 - 2012.
Europeans, frequently employed in the year of arrival in France
40% of the immigrants above 16 years old arrived in 2012, who were not enrolled in the French education system, were employed the same year. 55% of the European immigrants who came to France in 2012 started a job in 2013, 2.5 times more than Africans (21%). These differences can be partly explained by the population structure by gender, age and educational level. In 2012 the share of immigrants having a job was very high among immigrants from Germany, Spain and Portugal (70%).
Between 2004-2008 the employment share of new immigrants raised by 6%, to 41%, then it settled, despite the higher education level, following the economic crisis. In 2012 newly come women immigrants found employment more difficultly than men (29% as compared to 52%).
Six of ten new immigrants live in families
Of the total immigrant population arrived in 2012, aged above 20, more than half said they live in couples since the year or arrival. Women are more frequently in a relationship than men (57% as compared to 46%). A smaller percentage of the Europeans who arrived in 2012 stated they were in a relationship, as compared to Africans. Particularly in the case of Asian immigrants, the partners proved to be more often immigrants than non-immigrants. The percentage of immigrants who live in a couple increased during 2004-2009. Seven of ten male immigrants have lived in families since the year of their arrival in France, which means they either came together with their partner/ wife, or they joined a previously settled family member.
Source:
http://www.insee.fr/fr/themes/document.asp?reg_id=0&ref_id=ip1524
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