France faces school year challenges amid student population decline

The 2026-2027 school year in France begins amidst significant demographic and environmental challenges. Education Minister Édouard Geffray reported a loss of 161,000 students compared to the previous year, bringing the total student population to approximately 11.6 million. This decline is part of a long-term trend linked to falling birth rates, with projections suggesting a 14% decrease in the student population by 2035.

This demographic shift is leading to structural changes, including the closure of approximately 3,000 classes and a reduction in the number of educational establishments. In response, the government plans to create a new directorate for territorial school policy to rethink educational offerings.

Beyond demographics, the academic year faces a “triple crisis” involving climate, technology, and population. Recent extreme weather, such as major forest fires in the Landes de Gascogne, has already impacted school personnel and students, requiring psychological support services. Additionally, new regulations are being implemented, including an extension of the mobile phone ban to high schools and new protocols for addressing sexual violence in schools.