RÉUNION - Population
The history of the settlement of Réunion began in 1646. Apart from the settlers from metropolitan France, the population of the island was increased greatly by the arrival of people from East Africa and Madagascar, which continued until the mid-19th century. This was followed by immigration from the south and west coasts of India, which lasted until the beginning of the 20th century. Chinese immigration is a more recent phenomenon and has been on a smaller scale.
Between 1946 and 1990 the population more than doubled, rising from 242 000 to 598 000. There are four reasons for this:
- the mortality rate dropped considerably, especially that of children;
- the fertility rate fell, but at a slower rate, from 6.4 to 2.6 per woman;
- the number of women of child-bearing age continued to grow, as a result of the high number of births in the 1960s and 1970s;
- finally, emigration to metropolitan France, which had amounted to an annual average of 4 500 people between 1974 and 1982, stopped after that date.
With 706 000 inhabitants in 1999, the island has a high population density: 282 inhabitants/km2. In 1999 Réunion accounted for 1.2% the population of France. In terms of total population Réunion ranks in 21st position of the 26 regions of France, but in terms of the population density it ranks fourth.
Between 1990 and 1999 the population grew by an average of 1.9% per year. This rate is close to that of the 1980s. If this trend continues a population of more than one million is forecast for 2030. Réunion has the second highest population growth rate in France. Demographic growth in Réunion is fuelled mainly by the natural increase (+1.58% per year on average), with the natural growth in the population accounting for 85% of the total population growth. Réunion?s migration surplus ran at a rate of +0.29% per year on average.
A young, growing population
A low mortality rate coupled with a birth rate that remains still strong means that the population is young and dynamic. The age band 25 - 60 years old accounts for 46% of the population. The young generation aged less than 25 account for 44% of Réunion?s population and so only 10% are aged 60 or more. Nevertheless, the forecast for 2030 is that the share of the population aged less than 25 will be down to 34% and that the share of the 60 plus age band will make up 22%.
The age structure is reflected in the fertility, birth and mortality rates. The birth rate is above the national average. In 1999 the crude birth rate was 19.4 live births per 1 000 inhabitants compared to the national average of 12.9 live births per 1 000 inhabitants. Compared to 1990 the number of live births fell from 13 900 to 13 700 in 1999 (-1.4%). In 2000 the number of births was 14 800 (+8% compared to 1999). The fertility rate is 240 children per 100 women. The crude death rate is below the national average with 5.3 deaths per 1 000 inhabitants, compared to the national average of 9.1. However the infant mortality rate (6.0 deaths of children under 1 year old per 1 000 live births) is above the national average (4.4).
In 1999 the foreign population accounted for 0.5% of the population of Réunion. EU nationals account for 15.5% of the foreign population.
Less than 20% of Réunion?s inhabitants counted in 1999 live on three-thirds of the territory of the Réunion, the highlands with an altitude of more than 800 metres. Most of the population lives along the coasts, where most of the economic activities are undertaken.
In the west activity is concentrated in two main towns: St-Paul, the arrondissement's principal administrative town, and Le Port, where industrial activities linked to the port take place. In 1999 12.4% of Réunion inhabitants lived in the conurbation of St-Paul. The east, which has the highest rainfall, is a region of modern culture. Here most of the population is concentrated in two towns, St-Benoit and St-André (74 734 inhabitants in 1999). In the south the main centres are St-Pierre and Le Tampon. In 1999 18.3% of Réunion inhabitants lived in these conurbations. Finally, the north is dominated by the conurbation of St-Denis-Sainte-Marie (158 139 inhabitants in 1999), where 22% of the total population of the island live.
The number of households and the population are constantly increasing which implies for the region serious problems with its infrastructures (housing, training, employment, etc).
Many disparities and inequalities exist on the island, which remains a region difficult to manage, and where many challenges abound. The Act for overseas orientation of 2000 aims to encourage employment, to fight against social inequalities and exclusion and to guarantee the right to housing.
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