Les étrangers dans la population française depuis la première guerre mondiale

Abstract

Foreigners in France since the first world war Unlike other European countries, France has become quite early a land of immigration and the number of foreigners will constantly increase during the twentieth century, together with industrial development. Despite the economical crisis and the ban on the immigration of workers since 1974, immigrants represent 7,4 % of the population in 1982 and 7,3 % in 1990, a rate never reached since the middle of the 19th century. This increase in numbers goes together with a geographical development. The foreigners living in France first were Belgians, Italians, Germans, Swiss, then Poles and Spaniards. Today they are Portuguese, Algerians, Maroccans and Asians. They mostly live around Paris and Lyon, and in Lorraine. In 1984, a new immigration, a family one appeared, the only legal one. Assimilation has become easier for foreigners, but there is a problem of employment brought about by a younger workforce and a feminine one. Indeed, the increase of unemployment affects more foreigners than nationals and itensifies xenophobic reactions.