Although the Pacs may be twenty-seven years old, it remains a reliable option for hundreds of thousands of couples each year. The latest figures published by Insee make it possible to take stock of the real place the civil solidarity pact occupies today compared with marriage, at a time when many couples hesitate between the two forms of union.
The Pacs, a stable union at around 197 000 registrations per year
According to Insee data, around 197 000 Pacs were entered into in France in 2024, a figure almost unchanged compared with 2023, when 196 132 pacts had been recorded after revision of the data provided by notaries. This volume, which has remained remarkably constant for several years, confirms that the Pacs is no longer a mere “light marriage” reserved for young couples: it has established itself as a distinct form of union, chosen both for its administrative simplicity and for its fiscal and inheritance flexibility.
Marriage rebounds in 2025
For its part, marriage experienced a clear resurgence in 2025: according to Insee’s demographic report, 251 000 marriages were celebrated that year, including 244 000 between persons of different sex and 7 000 between persons of the same sex. This rebound, after several years marked by the health crisis and then a gradual decline, places marriage clearly ahead of the Pacs in terms of the number of annual unions, whereas the two formats had sometimes drawn closer over the past decade.
- Around 197 000 Pacs entered into in 2024 (Insee)
- 251 000 marriages celebrated in 2025, including 7 000 between persons of the same sex
- A volume of Pacs stable for several years despite variations in marriage
- Two regimes with very different formalities and taxation, to be carefully compared before choosing
Why this choice remains strategic for couples
Beyond the figures, the choice between Pacs et mariage continues to affect very concrete aspects of life as a couple: inheritance rights, procedure in case of separation, the couple’s tax regime and international recognition. The Pacs appeals for its speed of conclusion, at the town hall or with a notary, and its simplified dissolution, while marriage retains specific advantages, notably regarding protection of the surviving spouse and parentage. These differences largely explain why the two statuses continue to coexist without one truly replacing the other.
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Frequently asked questions
How many Pacs are entered into each year in France?
Around 197 000 Pacs were entered into in 2024 according to Insee, a level close to that of 2023 (196 132 after revision), confirming the stability of this form of union for several years.
Is marriage more common than Pacs?
Yes, in 2025: 251 000 marriages were celebrated compared with around 197 000 Pacs in 2024, the two statistics referring to the latest available data for each union.
What is the main difference between Pacs and marriage?
The Pacs offers a faster procedure and simplified dissolution, while marriage retains specific rights, notably for the protection of the surviving spouse and parentage.
Sources
Insee — Marriages and Pacs, annual data
Insee — Marriages and Pacs, Demographic report 2025
Ined — Figures on the Pacs in France
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