Like every year, INSEE publishes its figures this Thursday which will be the official population figures on January 1, 2025. They correspond to the population calculated on January 1, 2022 and are compared to the 2016 population.
The official population of Gulf of Morbihan-Vannes Agglomération is 177,719 inhabitants, or 11,058 people more than in 2016 and an annual growth of + 1.08%. Across Brittany, GMVA confirms its very strong demographic appeal. The agglomeration thus ranks 2nd among Breton intermunicipalities, just behind Rennes metropolis, in number of additional inhabitants and sixth for its growth rate.
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2The unbeatable island of Arz in Brittany
Among the 34 communes of the Vannes conurbation, the smallest is once again well ahead in terms of population growth. With remarkable growth of 40.3% in five years, or +5.8% per year, the island of Arz also wins the regional prize. It outdistances the island of Molène (+ 25.8% or 3.9% per year). The Captains’ Island thus passes the milestone of 300 inhabitants.
“The population is increasing slowly but steadily. This is very good news, says Mayor Jean Loiseau. We see that young people and retirees are coming to settle down. Our objective is precisely to have an active population that allows the island to live all year round. It’s vital. » A movement that must be supported according to the elected official. “This encouraged us to create a House for childminders. The school will move to new premises near the multipurpose room. Work will begin in February or March. The number 1 challenge remains having accessible housing. We’re working on it. »
Attractiveness does not only rhyme with insularity in the agglomeration since its neighbor, Île-aux-Moines, only saw its population increase by 0.8%. And the second place on the podium in terms of growth rate is not really known for its maritime character: it is Surzur (+ 2.8% per year) which confirms its dynamism. “We are not surprised. The evolution took place gradually, comments Mayor Noëlle Chenot. The services offered to the population have adapted. Associations can accommodate more people in their premises. But there is a shortage of housing. A private developer will release a program at the start of the year in front of the Intermarché. The programs in Saint-Symphorien and rue de Virel should see the light of day. »
The third city, with + 2.6%, is also rural: Locqueltas.
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3Vannes and Sarzeau in number
If we look at the number of additional inhabitants of the different communes of GMVA, unsurprisingly, it is Vannes which stands out with 1,757 more inhabitants. Even if it is placed very far behind Rennes (+ 11,562), it is the second municipality whose population is increasing the most in Brittany. Another municipality in the agglomeration slips into the Top 10 on this criterion: Sarzeau, with 1,226 additional inhabitants.
Despite this growth, Vannes remains the fifth city in Brittany and second city in Morbihan. Brest, Quimper and Lorient are also seeing their populations grow.
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4Larmor-Baden and Saint-Armel mark time
Only two municipalities in the agglomeration have a very slight decrease in population (-0.1%): Larmor-Baden and Saint-Armel. For the first, which celebrated its centenary in 2024, it is the continuation of a slow erosion. Mayor Denis Bertholom believes, for his part, that the population is “holding steady”. “Since covid, people have left the town, others are investing in property and reselling it,” he comments. But if the village does not have a year-round population, it dies.” It is counting on recent measures to attract long-term residents. “We made the decision to tax second homes and control rentals on Airbnb, we hope that this will free up apartments and houses which will allow for year-round accommodation. »
As for Saint-Armel, this is the second year in a row that it has seen its population decrease.
Pointed out for several years, Saint-Gildas is coming out of the red. “I don’t see myself in these figures,” commented Mayor Alain Layec, when the town’s population was announced at -1.6 or -1.3%. With +1.5%, his feelings are confirmed. “I am waiting for the results of the 2024 census to be sure of the trend and to comment on it,” he says.
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