ALSACE - Population
A young population
In 2000, Alsace had 1 746 900 inhabitants, or 2.9% of the population of France in an area which covers only 1.5% of the total area of the country. By its population density (209 inhabitants/km2 in 1999) and its urban population, Alsace is close to its German and Swiss neighbouring regions: three out of four Alsatians live in a built-up area.
Since 1990, the population registered an average annual increase of 0.73% and is the second French region in terms of demographic growth.
Although it used to be above the national average, the fertility rate has fallen in Alsace and is now below average. The number of births (22 896 in 2000) remains higher than the number of deaths (14 297 in 2000), since Alsace has a young population. In 1999 31.3% of the population was aged less than 25 years old. Older people account for a low percentage of the total population (those aged 60 and over represented 19.1% of the population in 1999). After Picardy, Alsace is the region that has the highest infant mortality rate: 5.1 deaths of children under 1 year old per 1000 births.
The population is stable, with its roots firmly planted in the area. There is little migration to and from other regions of France but manpower shortages have attracted a large number of foreigners, who in 1999 made up 7.3% of the region's population among which 38.1% come from European Union countries and 22.3% from Turkey.
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