Continuous Progression: A Decade of Concern
In 2023, the infant mortality rate in France reached 3.9 deaths per 1,000 live births , a rise from 3.5 in 2010. This statistic translates to approximately 2,400 babies dying before their first birthday in just one year. In comparison, the rates stand at 2.6 in Spain, 2.5 in Germany, and 2.1 in Sweden . France thus ranks among the lowest in Western Europe , a position it has held since 2021, and it is now confirmed and worsening. The INED study highlights a significant increase in early neonatal deaths (occurring within the first seven days), often associated with complications during delivery or insufficient medical care.
Multiple Factors, Yet a Shared Reality
Several combined causes explain this deterioration:
- Chronic underinvestment in public maternity wards, leading to service closures, understaffing, and births occurring under tense conditions.
- The rise of maternal precariousness, particularly among young, migrant, or isolated women who have less access to regular prenatal care.
- An unequal healthcare system across regions, with increasing medical desertification in rural areas or specific suburbs.
- The aging average maternal age, which automatically raises some obstetric risks.
The INED also notes a lack of continuity in postnatal care , with sometimes early discharges from maternity wards and insufficient follow-up during the crucial early weeks for detecting neonatal issues.
Marked Geographical and Social Disparities
Not all newborns face the same risks. The study shows that the poorest departments have an infant mortality rate 30 to 50% higher than the national average . Seine-Saint-Denis, Nord, and French Guiana are among the hardest hit.
Likewise, children born to immigrant mothers, those in precarious situations, or without comprehensive medical coverage face greater risks, primarily due to inadequate prenatal follow-ups. These inequalities are not new, but they are worsening with the decline of public proximity services .
Comparison of Infant Mortality Rates in Europe (2023 – Eurostat and INED Data)
| Country | Infant Mortality Rate (per 1,000 live births) | Trend Since 2010 |
|---|---|---|
| Sweden | 2.1 | Stable |
| Germany | 2.5 | Slight decrease |
| Spain | 2.6 | Stable |
| Italy | 2.8 | Slight decrease |
| Belgium | 3.1 | Stable |
| France | 3.9 | Continuous increase |
| Hungary | 4.3 | Decreasing |
| Romania | 5.6 | Significant decrease since 2010 |
A Long-Standing Alarm from Health Professionals
Midwives, obstetricians, pediatricians, and nurses have been sounding the alarm for years . They denounce, in particular:
- Lack of maternity and neonatal care beds.
- Exhaustion among healthcare staff, faced with rhythms incompatible with personalized follow-up.
- Precarious health trajectories in the early weeks of life.
The paradox is that France still has solid public health structures , yet their network is deteriorating: closures of nearby maternity wards, doctor shortages, and unequal access to specialists .
Toward a Reform of Maternity Services?
The government announced in autumn 2024 a mission to evaluate the maternity system , entrusted to the High Authority of Health (HAS). Among the proposed initiatives are to bolster human resources, facilitate follow-up for high-risk pregnancies, and improve postnatal support for vulnerable families.
However, no concrete measures have yet been widely implemented , and frontline professionals are growing impatient. For them, every month counts , as each incremental increase in the rate corresponds to hundreds of lost lives .
Beyond the Numbers: A Societal Challenge
Infant mortality is not just a medical indicator. It reflects the state of society, the quality of public services, and its capacity to protect the most vulnerable from the beginning of life . France’s decline in this area should be a major warning signal , transcending merely health issues. Protecting newborn lives fundamentally requires investing in dignity, equality, and prevention. According to experts, France does not appear to be on this path.