CHAMPAGNE ARDENNE - Population
In Champagne-Ardenne the population amounted to nearly 1 342 400 inhabitants in 1999, representing only 2.3% of the population of France. The region ranks 18th in terms of population out of the 22 metropolitan regions of France.
Between 1990 and 1999 the population of Champagne-Ardenne declined slightly, despite births being in excess of deaths. The region's demographic weakness lies in its high net migration loss. Far more people leave than arrive. Migration flows between the region and the rest of metropolitan France has left the region with a deficit of 41 000 inhabitants. This trend is not recent: since nearly 70 years migration flows have been regularly negative. This tradition of emigration has affected all four départements of Champagne-Ardenne, but the highest deficits have been in the Ardennes and Haute-Marne. Today the region still lacks attractiveness, but the situation seems to be improving slightly. Between 1990 and 1999, Champagne-Ardenne did not attract more new inhabitants than in the past, but the number of departures was less. Migration flows have occurred particularly with neighbouring regions. The fact that Paris is not far away may be a handicap for the region, so that it runs the risk of becoming an outlying part of Greater Paris, with the resulting brain drain and reduced decision-making powers.
The number of inhabitants aged less than 25 years old has been falling over the past decade. Nevertheless, young people still predominate in the population structure of Champagne-Ardenne, with persons aged less than 25 years representing 31.8% of the total population in 1999. The number of people aged 60 and over in the region on the other hand has been increasing, indicating an ageing of the population.
In 1999 the gross birth rate was very close to the national average: 12.5 per 1 000 inhabitants. Between 1990 and 1999 the number of live births fell from 18 200 to 17 300 in 1999, with the year 1994 recording the lowest level (16 300). In 2000 the number of births was 17 300 (+3.6% compared to 1999).
With 9.6 deaths per 1 000 inhabitants the rate for Champagne-Ardenne is close to the national average (9.1). The infant mortality rate (4.3 deaths of children under 1 year old per 1 000 live births) is also close to the national average.
In 1999 the foreign population accounted for 3.8% of the total population of the region. This is below the national average (5.5%). The foreign population is mainly composed of nationals coming from countries outside the European Union (62.6%).
Champagne-Ardenne has the disadvantage of being sparsely populated and to some extent gives the impression of a 'human desert'. The average population density is 52 inhabitants per km2, which is half that of the national average.
As well as not being densely populated, the urban structure of the Champagne-Ardenne region is relatively weak, especially in comparison with its most powerful neighbouring region, l'Ile-de-France. In fact only two conurbations have more than 100 000 inhabitants, Reims and Troyes. Charleville-Mézières is the third largest town.
The fact that the demographic, economic and social situations in its constituent départements are different means that the Champagne-Ardenne region does not form a uniform whole. Population varies within the region: the department of the Marne accounts for 42% of the population, Ardenne and Aube both 22% and Haute-Marne 15%.
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