Population census: when and where is it taking place in 2026?

The population census concerns the entire population living in France. But it does not take place at the same time for everyone, the years differ according to the municipalities:

• for municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants, it takes place every 5 years and concerns the entire population;
• for municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants, it takes place every year but on a sample of 8% of addresses that differs each year.

What is the purpose of the census?

Carried out by the National Institute of Statistics and Economic Studies (INSEE) and the communes, the census makes it possible to know how many people live in France and to establish the official population of each commune. It provides information on the characteristics of the population: age, occupation, means of transport used, housing conditions...

It is thanks to this data that the projects that concern you can be designed and realized.

From these figures, the State participates in the budget of the municipalities. The number of inhabitants depends on the number of elected members of the municipal council, the determination of the voting method, the number of pharmacies, etc. Knowledge of these statistics is one of the elements that make it possible to define national public policies. At the local level, it is used to provide the necessary public facilities (schools, hospitals, transport infrastructure, etc.). The analysis of this data also helps to target housing needs, it allows companies to better know their clients and associations to better meet the needs of the population.

How is it performed?

You are notified of the census taker's visit by a letter from the mayor placed in your mailbox a few days before or by the census taker himself. He has a tricolor card signed by the mayor, with his photo and his name. Anyone enumerated is entitled to demand the presentation of this card and can also verify his identity by contacting the town hall.

Responses to census questionnaires are mandatory.

Responding via the internet is the easiest way to get a census. The enumerators come to the people to be enumerated to give them a notice on which appear their login credentials to the site le-census-et-moi.fr. This allows them to complete the online questionnaire.

If you choose this option, you must log in to the site le-recensement-et-moi.fr and enter the identifiers present on the notice and then complete the questionnaire. If you provide your e-mail address, you will receive an acknowledgement of receipt.

If you are unable to respond via the Internet, the enumerator will provide you with:

• a housing sheet that includes questions about the characteristics and comfort of the housing;
• as many individual ballots as there are people in the household with questions about age, place of birth, nationality, level of education, place of residence, professional activity;
• explanatory notes available in French and in certain foreign languages (Arabic, Chinese, English, Portuguese, Romanian, German, Russian, Spanish, Turkish and Ukrainian).

All Census of Population documents are available on the site dedicated to census (leaflets, individual bulletins, housing sheets).

The enumerator will arrange an appointment with you to pick them up. If you wish, it can help you complete them. You can also send them directly to the town hall or to the INSEE Regional Directorate.

Census dates in 2026

For municipalities with less than 10,000 inhabitants:

• from 15 January to 14 February in metropolitan France, the Caribbean and French Guiana;
• from 29 January to 28 February in Reunion.

For municipalities with more than 10,000 inhabitants:

• from 15 January to 21 February in metropolitan France, the Caribbean and French Guiana;
• from 29 January to 7 March in Reunion.

The comprehensive census takes place in Mayotte from 27 November 2025 to 10 January 2026.