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France riots and immigration: the facts (October 2026)
France saw nationwide riots on 17–18 October 2026, with 2,397 arrests and 997 police and gendarmes injured by the Interior Minister's count, three years after the 2023 riots that caused about €1 billion of damage. In 2025 France had about 7.97 million immigrants, 11.6% of the population, and 7.99 million descendants of immigrants. This site sets out what is known about the riots, immigration and the Macron government's record, with a source for every figure.
Key figures
| Figure | Value | Date | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arrests, riots of 17–18 October 2026 | 2,397 | 18 Oct 2026 | Interior Minister via ICI |
| Police and gendarmes injured, October 2026 | 997 | 18 Oct 2026 | Interior Minister via ICI |
| Arrests by security forces, 2023 riots | 3,554 | July 2023 | Senate |
| Vehicles burned, 2023 riots | 12,031 | July 2023 | Senate |
| Material damage, 2023 riots | about €1 billion | 2024 | Senate |
| Immigrants living in France | 7.97 million (11.6%) | 2025 | INSEE |
| Descendants of immigrants | 7.99 million (12%) | 2024 | INSEE |
| First residence permits issued | 384,230 | 2025 | AFP |
| Articles of the 2024 immigration law struck down | 35 of 86 | 25 Jan 2024 | LCP |
What happened in the October 2026 riots?
A national cost-of-living and youth protest on 17 October 2026 turned into riots and looting in several cities, including Paris, Marseille and Limoges, where the town hall burned. The government blamed the ultra-left and criminal groups. Figures are still provisional. Full detail: France riots October 2026.
What happened in the 2023 riots?
The riots began after a police officer shot 17-year-old Nahel Merzouk at Nanterre on 27 June 2023 and lasted until early July. Official figures recorded 12,031 vehicles burned, 2,508 buildings burned or damaged and 782 officers injured. Most of those arrested were young French nationals. France does not record the ethnicity or religion of arrested people. Full detail: 2023 riots after Nahel's death.
How much do riots cost France?
The 2023 riots cost insurers €793 million, about four times the cost of the 2005 riots. New Caledonia's 2024 unrest caused damage estimated in the billions of euros. Full detail: cost and impact of riots in France.
How many immigrants live in France?
INSEE counts an immigrant as a person born abroad who was not French at birth. About a third of immigrants have since become French citizens. Full detail: France immigration statistics.
Will immigrants become a majority in France?
Official projections do not forecast this. On this site's illustrative model, immigrants plus their direct descendants rise from about 23% of the population today to about 31% in 2050 in the central case. They pass 50% only in a high-migration case, near the end of the century. Full detail: France population projections.
What has Macron's government done on immigration?
Macron's governments passed immigration laws in 2018 and 2024, a law on separatism in 2021 and a Mayotte nationality law in 2025. Only about one in ten orders to leave France (OQTF) issued in 2024 was carried out. Full detail: Macron's immigration record.
How does France compare with the rest of Europe?
Germany has the largest foreign-born population in the EU. France is second in absolute numbers, and the EU's new Migration and Asylum Pact has applied since 12 June 2026. Full detail: immigration in Europe.
Quick answers
The FAQ answers the most-searched questions in one or two sentences each. The sources and method page explains how figures were chosen and where they conflict.