When Countries Became More Populous Than France

Map created by reddit user Like_a_CharoFrance is currently the world’s 20th most populous country with an estimated 68,490,000 people.

However, over 200 years ago in 1800, it had an estimated population of 29 million people making it possibly the world’s 4th most populous country at that time.

Here’s a list of countries by when they overtook France’s population and when it happened (with current population in brackets):

1. India: Time Immemorial aka always (1,443 million)
2. China: Time Immemorial (1,425 million)
3. Japan: 1660-90 (122 million)
4. Russia: 1795 (143 million)
5. United State: 1866-69 (341 million)
6. Indonesia: 1905-09 (279 million)
7. Germany: 1912 (83 million)
8. Brazil: 1940 (217 million)
9. Pakistan: 1953 (244 million)
10. Bangladesh: 1959 (174 million)
11. Nigeria: 1963 (229 million)
12. Mexico: 1972 (129 million)
13. Vietnam: 1982 (99 million)
14. Philippines: 1987 (118 million)
15. Egypt: 1991 (114 million)
16. Iran: 1992 (89 million)
17. Türkiye 1995 (86 million)
18. Ethiopia: 1997 (129 million)
19. Democratic Republic of the Congo: 2009 (105 million)

Interestingly, only one of France’s colonies (Vietnam) has overtaken it in population.

Countries that may soon overtake France based on current population growth trends include the UK (67 million), Tanzania (63 million), and South Africa (63 million).

Why did France’s population grow so slowly in the 19th and 20th centuries?

France’s slow population growth in the 19th and 20th centuries can be attributed to a combination of social, economic, cultural, and historical factors:

1. Low Birth Rates:

Cultural Factors: France experienced early demographic transition compared to other European countries. French society emphasized smaller families, partly due to cultural norms and inheritance practices. The Napoleonic Code mandated equal inheritance among children, encouraging families to have fewer children to avoid dividing property into smaller, less sustainable portions.

Urbanization and Industrialization: With the rise of urban centers and industrialization, more people moved away from agricultural lifestyles. In urban areas, the cost of raising children was higher, and families had fewer children.

Secularization: France became increasingly secular over the 19th and 20th centuries, reducing the influence of the Catholic Church, which traditionally promoted large families.

2. High Mortality Rates:

Epidemics and Poor Health Conditions: In the 19th century, France faced several epidemics, such as cholera, which increased mortality rates. Medical advances were slow to reach the wider population.

World Wars: The First and Second World Wars caused significant population losses. The First World War (1914–1918) was particularly devastating, with about 1.4 million French soldiers killed and many more injured. The loss of a large portion of the male population had long-term demographic effects.

Influenza Pandemic of 1918: The Spanish Flu further exacerbated the population decline by killing tens of thousands in France.

3. Economic Factors:

Economic Uncertainty: Periods of economic instability, such as the Great Depression, led to uncertainties about the future, causing families to delay or avoid having more children.

Rural Depopulation: As people moved from rural to urban areas for work, rural depopulation occurred, impacting regions that traditionally had higher birth rates.

4. Late and Low Immigration:

Less Immigration Compared to Other Countries: While some countries like the United States or Germany experienced significant immigration waves that boosted their populations, France had relatively low levels of immigration until the mid-20th century. Even when immigration increased, it took time to impact the overall population growth significantly.

5. Government Policies and Social Attitudes:

Delayed Family Policies: France did not implement pro-natalist policies (policies that encourage childbearing) until later in the 20th century. When these policies were finally put in place, such as family allowances and tax incentives, they helped increase the birth rate, but the effects were gradual.

Find this map interesting? Please help us by sharing it: