French citizens are reported to be on the move, with those becoming expats rising by 2% last year.
In total, 1.7 million French nationals are registered with foreign consulates, according to the country’s foreign affairs ministry, although the real number is estimated to be 2.5 million.
Those who fail to register are more likely to be expats staying abroad long-term rather than students abroad for short period.
The French have a way to go to catch up with the Brits. The World Bank estimates that between 4.5 million and 5.5 million Britons are living outside the UK.
The majority of French expats, believed to be 75%, were professionally active, particularly as corporate executives or civil servants and public sector staff.
The bulk of French expats headed to Switzerland. By the end of last year 175,700 lived there.
There was a 6% increase in the number of French people moving to Canada, with total number reaching 92,116, while 128,000 have settled in the UK, 114,000 in Germany and 121,000 in Belgium.
Although the number in Portugal appears to be about 15,000 this represents an increase of about 5% over 2014. At the same time, the popularity of both Spain (86,000) and Italy (45,000) was in decline.
While western Europe is the destination for 50% of expats, there are 142,000 French nationals in the US and a small rise in those living in Morocco where 51,000 French nationals now are.
All the countries above saw a rise up to 5% in French expat numbers.
Some French expats have been more adventurous in turning to Mali, Algeria, and the Republic of Congo.
High taxes and high unemployment are often believed to be the reasons why so many French are leaving, but in fact much emigration is due to work opportunities, followed by the desire to experience new countries and cultures.
