As of January 1, 2021, 871,157 people lived in Reunion, according to INSEE. Between 2015 and 2021, the population of Reunion increased by 20,400 people (+0,4 %, and 3,400 more inhabitants on average per year).
Its growth is less than between 2010 and 2015 (+0,7% on average per year). In five metropolitan regions — in Brittany, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, Loire region, Occitanie and Corsica -, the population grows at a higher pace than that of Reunion, While Martinique (-0.9 % per year) and Guadeloupe (-0,6 % per year) lose inhabitants. It is the natural balance that bears Reunionese demographic growth, Even if it has been cut for a few years under the effect of the aging of the population. The surplus of births on deaths leads to an increase in the population of 8,700 inhabitants per year on average between 2015 and 2021 (+1 % per year). otherwise, Reunion departures, more numerous than arrivals since the mid -2010, help to slow population growth. The migratory balance is –5,300 inhabitants per year on average between 2015 and 2021, and -4,000 between 2010 and 2015. These departures mainly concern young people who will continue their studies in France.
