The Local France

Births, marriages and many deaths: Five things that happened to France's demographics in 2020

Wed, 20 Jan 2021 12:10:09 +0100

There were many deaths but despite the pandemic births and even the odd marriage continued - here's what happened to the population numbers in France in 2020.

France launches probe after 11 new cases of babies born without arms in rural region

Wed, 31 Oct 2018 10:30:47 +0100

Eleven more cases of babies born with missing or malformed arms in France have come to light, the public health authority said Tuesday, adding to a medical phenomenon for which no cause has been found.

France investigates spike in babies born with arm defects

Sun, 21 Oct 2018 17:26:53 +0200

France's health minister on Sunday announced a new investigation into the births of several babies with upper limb defects in various parts of the country in recent years, saying it was "unacceptable" no cause had been found.

Why are the French making fewer and fewer babies?

Tue, 16 Jan 2018 18:36:26 +0100

France's birth rate has dropped for the third year in a row, new statistics revealed on Tuesday, leaving a question hanging over how long the French can hold onto their title as the baby-making champions of Europe.

What are France's most popular baby names?

Wed, 19 Oct 2016 18:46:23 +0200

A new book has revealed what it predicts will be the most popular baby names in France next year, based on past trends.

More French women becoming mothers after 40

Fri, 30 Sep 2016 12:03:09 +0200

One in 20 babies born in France in 2015 was born to a mother aged over 40, while the country's overall birthrate has seen a decline, a study on fertility shows.

'Patriotic' French baby names: The latest crazy row in France

Thu, 15 Sep 2016 13:54:27 +0200

What’s a patriotic name for a French baby girl? Joan? Marie? Brigitte? Not Zohra, according to a journalist who has stirred up France’s latest row over identities.

Why the baby brain can learn two languages at same time

Wed, 04 May 2016 13:23:06 +0200

Research shows babies begin to learn language sounds before they're even born. What about babies who hear two languages from birth? Dr Naja Ferjan Ramirez investigates.

French named best baby-makers in all of Europe

Tue, 15 Mar 2016 17:19:28 +0100

France led Europe with the highest fertility rate in 2014 with Greece and other crisis-hit countries suffering the lowest rates on the continent, the EU's latest data showed on Tuesday.

France: Common drug caused birth defects in 450 babies

Wed, 24 Feb 2016 08:14:57 +0100

A common drug used to treat epilepsy has caused congenital defects in around 450 babies in France who were exposed to the medication before birth in the uterus, according to an estimate by health authorities published on Tuesday.

Two babies die in France after vaccinations

Wed, 01 Apr 2015 11:07:07 +0200

Health authorities in France are reviewing whether a common vaccine to prevent stomach illnesses should be given to babies, after it emerged this week that two newborns died following the inoculations.

Having a baby in France: Ten lessons learned

Wed, 31 Dec 2014 11:21:00 +0100

Having a baby is daunting enough, let alone having one in a foreign country. The Local's editor Ben McPartland looks back at a few of the lessons he learned from becoming a new dad in France, from avoiding the Metro to why monkey pyjamas in Paris are a big no-no.

French families sue after babies switched at birth

Tue, 02 Dec 2014 13:24:00 +0100

Two baby girls were mixed up by maternity hospital workers in France and grew up in the wrong families. Twenty years on, the families want €12 million in compensation.

Baby blues: Paris birth rate hits 40-year low

Mon, 03 Nov 2014 18:47:00 +0100

Parisians are having fewer babies than they have in the last 40 years according to figures released this week. Critics say authorities must provide more nursery places to stem the falling birth rate.

French maternity wards prepare for busiest day

Tue, 23 Sep 2014 14:00:00 +0200

More French babies will be brought into the world this Tuesday than on any other day this year, according to a new study, with experts attributing the phenomenon to something special that happens around the new year.

Doctor jailed for selling babies to France

Tue, 28 May 2013 13:47:00 +0200

A doctor from Algeria was sentenced to 12 years behind bars for his role in kidnapping Algerian children born to single mothers and putting them up for sale in France.

Woman in baby-killing probe is released

Fri, 03 Aug 2012 11:27:48 +0200

A French mother charged with killing eight of her newborns was released from prison Thursday under court supervision, according to a judicial source.

France limbers up for baby-making week

Tue, 27 Dec 2011 10:50:00 +0100

A curious increase in the number of babies born in September has led experts to conclude that the New Year festivities and the days surrounding them are when French people are most likely to conceive.