Lyon, France’s third-largest city with 520,800 inhabitants as of 2022, is a vibrant melting pot, according to a groundbreaking study by INSEE. The report, published on December 13, 2025, details the geographical origins of its residents, revealing that native-born Lyonnais are a minority within the city.
Only 26% of Lyon’s Residents Are Native-Born
The study indicates that a mere 26% of Lyon’s population was born within the city limits. This figure underscores Lyon’s status as a significant center of attraction, drawing individuals from various backgrounds. The demographic breakdown of Lyon’s residents by place of birth is as follows:
- 26% born in Lyon
- 27% born in another municipality of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes (including 11% from other municipalities within the Lyon Metropolis and 13.5% from other municipalities in Rhône)
- 29% born elsewhere in France (including overseas departments and territories)
- 18% born abroad
This distribution highlights that six out of ten residents are ‘adopted’ Lyonnais, having moved to the city from other regions or countries. Lyon now holds the distinction of having the second-lowest rate of native-born residents among major French cities, just after Bordeaux (24%). In contrast, half of Marseille’s inhabitants were born in the city.
Why the Decline in Native-Born Residents?
The proportion of residents born in Lyon has seen a notable decrease, falling from 34% in 2006 to 26% in 2022. INSEE attributes this decline primarily to the closures of several maternity hospitals in Lyon, including Hôpital Édouard-Herriot in 2008 and Hôtel-Dieu in 2009. Consequently, a growing number of Lyonnais mothers are giving birth outside the city, often in maternity wards of neighboring municipalities such as Bron, Écully, Oullins-Pierre-Bénite, and Villeurbanne, accounting for 40% of births in 2022.
Despite this trend, Lyon continues to experience slight population growth, averaging +0.2% annually between 2016 and 2022. This growth is solely driven by a birth rate that surpasses the death rate, solidifying its position as the third-largest city in France.
Diverse Origins Across Arrondissements
The INSEE study also reveals significant disparities in resident origins across Lyon’s various arrondissements. Residents born in France outside the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region tend to reside more frequently in the 1st and 2nd arrondissements.
The 4th arrondissement boasts the highest rate of native-born inhabitants. Conversely, the 6th arrondissement has a high concentration of residents from Paris and Hauts-de-Seine, making it the third-highest for natives from other French regions. This arrondissement also has the second-lowest rate of foreign-born residents.
In contrast, the more working-class neighborhoods of the 8th and 9th arrondissements have a higher concentration of foreign-born residents (22%). Interestingly, these arrondissements also have high rates of native-born Lyonnais, ranking second and third respectively in this category (28% and 27%).
International Origins
Among Lyon’s foreign-born residents, a significant 56% originate from the African continent. The Maghreb countries are particularly well-represented:
- Algeria: 20,300 residents (22% of foreign-born Lyonnais)
- Morocco: 7,400 residents (8%)
- Tunisia: 6,400 residents (7%)
Residents from the rest of the European Union constitute 17% of foreign-born Lyonnais, with notable communities from Italy (4%), Portugal (3%), and Spain (2%). Asian-born residents account for 13% of Lyon’s foreign-born population.
The study highlights Lyon’s enduring appeal as a major university and employment hub, attracting young adults for decades. This influx has resulted in one of the highest proportions of young adults among French cities with over 200,000 inhabitants, contributing to the rich geographical diversity of its population.
Source: https://actu.fr/auvergne-rhone-alpes/lyon_69123/lyon-l-origine-de-tous-les-lyonnais-revelee-par-cette-etude-inedite-les-resultats_63558417.html
