If the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region is still one of the most attractive in France according to INSEE, its twelve departments are not in the same boat.
Haute-Vienne, which is in eighth position in terms of number of inhabitants, has lost 2,540 in six years and will have 372,438 in 2022.
Corrèze has 240,120 with a loss of 1,415 people and is positioned in 11th position.
Creuse, in twelfth position, widens the gap with a loss of 3,973 and a population of 115,529 inhabitants.
If INSEE estimates that the Haute-Vienne population is stable, with a slightly positive migratory balance (+ 0.1%), identical to the previous period, the natural balance which is deteriorating slightly (- 1.02%) raises fears of a decline in the population over the coming years.
At the municipal level. When we look at the population of municipalities with more than 2,000 inhabitants, those in the first ring of Limoges continue to grow, such as Panazol (11,207 inhabitants) and Couzeix (10,011) which recorded the strongest increase (+ 1.5%), at to the detriment of a central city which has 129,754 inhabitants (- 0.4%). Also growing strongly are Le Vigen with 2,298 inhabitants, Veyrac with 2,162 inhabitants, Saint-Gence with 2,208 inhabitants and Séreilhac, with 2,045 inhabitants. On the other hand, Bellac continues its decline with a rate of -1.7% and a population which now numbers 3,569 souls. Also in sharp decline, Saint-Léonard-de-Noblat (4,319), Rochechouart (3,637), Bessines-sur-gartempe (2,739) and Le Palais-sur-Vienne (5,861).
At the cantonal level. The most populated cantons are those of Aixe-sur-Vienne (21,245), Couzeix (21,057), Saint-Yrieix-la-Perche (20,814), and Saint-Junien (20,665). Couzeix recorded the strongest growth (+ 0.9%). Those which recorded the strongest decline are the cantons of “Limoges-7” with 13,498 inhabitants (- 1.2%) and “Limoges-4” with 15,913 inhabitants (- 0.9%). Châteauponsac and Ambazac are also losing residents. In other words, the northern, western and southern cantons of the department continue to grow.
At the intercommunal level. A trend that is found at the interco level. If the most populous remains that of Limoges Métropole with 207,147 inhabitants, those which recorded the strongest growth are the com'com des Portes de Vassivière with 5,698 inhabitants (+0.3%), Val de Vienne with 16,305 inhabitants (+ 0. 2%) and Pays de Saint-Yrieix with 12,161 inhabitants (+ 0.1%).
Creuse is the exception to the rule
Creuse is the only department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine to show a drop in the number of inhabitants: -0.6%, or 662 inhabitants per year on average over the period 2016-2022. In 2022, Creuse had 115,529 inhabitants, compared to 119,502 in 2016, making it the second least populated department in France, just ahead of Lozère. The migratory balance of +0.4% was not sufficient to compensate for the negative natural balance of -1% per year on average over 2016-2022, while the regional average is only -0.2%. And for good reason: this -1% from Creuse, compared to -0.8% in 2011-2016, constitutes a French record.
In Creuse, more than 30% of the population is over 65, and the number of deaths is higher there. According to INSEE projections, and if current demographic trends continue, the proportion of people aged 65 and over in Creuse could exceed 40% in 2040 and, in 2070, the Creuse population would peak at 92,000 inhabitants… A pyramid ages that the average fertility rate of 1.68 per woman, very slightly higher than the regional rate of 1.65, does not compensate.
Corrèze is banking on its attractiveness
Even if its natural balance, with more deaths than births, is at half mast, Corrèze is one of the territories which attracts more inhabitants than it loses. An attractiveness which particularly benefits rural areas.
Between 2016 and 2022, the department lost, on average, 236 inhabitants each year. For INSEE, this is a sign of generally stable demographics. Net migration is up 0.4% for the period 2016-2022 and it is the peri-urban area which is the big winner. Sainte-Féréole, Saint-Pantaléon-de-Larche, Allassac, Donzenac and Ussac are the five communes of Corrèze which show the highest demographic growth and they are located around the town of Brive.
With 46,769 inhabitants (235 fewer than in 2016), the latter is the most populous in the department. The prefecture, Tulle, now has 13,602 inhabitants (851 fewer than in 2016), Ussel 9,174 inhabitants (608 fewer). If the demographic decline has slowed down for Brive, which goes from -0.5% to -0.1% (average annual rate), it worsens in Tulle (from -0.3% to -1%) and in Ussel (from -0.3% to -1.1%).
Maryline Rogerie
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