The French also live abroad

A recent survey by the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs has about 1.5 million French living abroad and registered with the French Consulate.

However, as the registration is not compulsory, with the Consulate, officials estimate that the actual rate of those who live abroad is approximately 2 million.

The census showed that the most popular destination of choice is Switzerland (138,349), followed by the USA (117,076) and the United Kingdom (112,660).

If you are not registered with consulates are added, then officials estimate the number of French expats living in the UK around 250000 (potentially similar number also live in the United States).

This shape is similar to the number of British expats are believed to live in France, despite the fact that if you add a second homes, then the total number of persons from the United Kingdom held a property in France is expected between 350,000 and 500,000.

The figures for Switzerland, and Germany (106,842), reflecting the large number of French cross border workers and owners of companies that have chosen to live in neighbouring countries, in particular tax reasons.

Other popular travel destinations for French Belgium (90,588), Spain (82,050), Canada (68,075), Morocco (36,818) and China (22,231).
French in London

The census showed that around 60% of French people lived in the UK within Greater London, with the majority aged between 25 and 40 years, confirming the generally held view that most French are in the United Kingdom to work, not to retire!

Indeed, in South West London is often referred to by the French as le quartier français de 6Ay, containing and homes for many hundreds of French families, the French Embassy, a French Institute and a wide range of French food shops and bistros.

There is also a large French Lycée attended approximately 3,000 French students, while elsewhere in the South and West London, there are many French schools maternity and a primary school.

The census showed that the number of French living abroad had increased by 7.6% for the previous year, and over the past ten years had risen by an average of 3.6%.

Although the countries of Asia and the Middle East accounted for only 8.5% and 6.6%, respectively, of those who live abroad, these countries also showed growth of 10% and 12.6% from last year.

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