The Senator from Alpes-Maritimes questions INSEE on the methods of calculating legal populations. In particular focus is the situation of the commune of Le Mas, whose official population remains fixed at 99 inhabitants. An estimate deemed disconnected from the developments observed on the ground.
As the 2026 census approaches, the issue of demographic estimation for rural municipalities is resurfacing. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp, Senator of Alpes-Maritimes and Departmental Councilor of Antibes Juan-les-Pins, has sent an official alert to the Regional Director of INSEE Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, Valérie Roux. The intervention focuses on the consequences of current legal population calculation methods for rural municipalities.
The figures published by INSEE determine several key elements such as financial allocations, municipal representation, and public facilities planning. According to the Senator, these figures are often underestimated compared to the actual situation on the ground.
This situation produces direct effects. Fewer financial resources for the affected communities. Reduced institutional representation. A weakened ability to anticipate local projects. Alexandra Borchio Fontimp mentions a double penalty for rural territories.
The case of Le Mas at the heart of the alert
The commune of Le Mas is cited as a specific example. The official population as of January 1, 2023, is set at 99 inhabitants. This figure remains unchanged despite local developments identified over several years. The Senator highlights a persistent gap between statistics and the communal reality.
“The case of Le Mas perfectly illustrates this problem: despite increased attractiveness since 2020, urban planning projects, and developing services, the official population remains frozen at 99 inhabitants. This gap between statistics and reality is unacceptable. Rural municipalities should not be penalized by statistical methods and algorithms that underestimate their dynamism”, declares Alexandra Borchio Fontimp.
The mentioned developments concern several areas: the installation of new families, residential and economic growth, the scheduled reopening of a school, and the strengthening of local services. These elements are absent from the current estimates.
The consequences are clearly identified. Decrease in financial allocations. Imbalance in municipal representation. Difficulties in planning public facilities. Maintaining a static official population exposes the commune to lasting effects.
A formal request for consultation with INSEE
In a letter to the Regional Director of INSEE, the Senator formalizes a request for consultation in the context of updating legal populations for the 2026 census: “As Senator of Alpes-Maritimes, I would like to consult with you regarding the update of legal populations for the commune of Le Mas for the 2026 census.”
She recalls that the official population appears “clearly underestimated.” The changes observed since 2020 are not reflected in the published figures. The risk mentioned concerns a significant imbalance concerning financial allocations, electoral thresholds, and the structuring of communal institutions.
To avoid any injustice related to underestimating the population, several requests are made. Scheduling a technical exchange with INSEE’s services before the January 2026 data collection campaign. Establishing enhanced cooperation between the commune and INSEE teams. Transmitting local data, including signed building permits, school enrollments, and network subscriptions. Mobilizing residents together to facilitate the census and ensure maximum coverage.
Local mobilization and institutional engagement
The mayor of the commune of Le Mas, Ludovic Sanchez, is associated with the process. The Senator emphasizes her availability and stands ready to organize a meeting with INSEE to work on a better, just, and equitable estimate during the census of communes in the Alpes-Maritimes department. The letter was also addressed to the Prefect.
This alert explicitly raises the question of statistical methods applied to rural municipalities. The 2026 census is emerging as a decisive deadline. The mobilization of elected officials and residents remains a sine qua non condition for ensuring an exhaustive census.
The alert issued goes beyond just the case of Le Mas. The issue concerns all rural territories faced with demographic dynamics that are poorly taken into account. Dialogue with INSEE is now sought on a regional and national scale.
