Prioux France.- Recent demographic change in France The rise in the period fertility index continued in 1998 and 1999, thanks to a strong recovery in fertility among women aged 30-40 and a stabilization in fertility at lower ages. In spite of this, completed fertility is expected to gradually decline after the 1960 birth cohort, falling below the replacement level (2.1). The overall number of abortions is stable though tending to increase slightly among young women and decline among older women. Following the strong recovery in 1996 consequent on tax law changes less favourable to unmarried couples with children, the increase in marriage is continuing at a more moderate level, though the proportion never-married at age 50 continues to rise ...