French couples are having fewer babies! In 2024, there were 663,000 births, 2.2% fewer than in 2023 where the country totaled 677,800 babies, which already corresponded to a drop compared to 2022 and 2021. Result, the 2024 birth rate is the lowest since 1945 ! A decline that the Institute of Statistics explains mainly by a decline in fertility.
The mayor of Gouesnacha commune of 2,765 souls located in Finistèrenear Quimper, had an original idea after noting the drop of 6 births in 2024 in his village: only 14 babies instead of 20 the previous year. This is why, during the wish ceremony, he announced that he would offer, in 2025, the parents of a baby born in the town, a gold ingot! Previously, a cuddly toy was offered. Price-wise, it has nothing to do with it! A gold bar weighing one kilo is estimated on January 1, 2025 at 81,890 euros!
For a long time, the gold bar was a lucky symbol that was used during celebrations regarding the birth of a child or during a baptism.
For the moment, the mayor’s idea has not been validated by the finance assistant… and will not be! Because it was, on the part of the local elected official, a simple joke! Too bad, with his rich idea, he might have had some success. The future parents will be disappointed, but you don’t decide to have a child for the money.
