Nice gained 5,600 inhabitants between 2021 and 2022, bringing its population to 356,603 residents, according to INSEE. This result, praised by the city hall as a sign of attractiveness, is criticized by the opposition, which warns about the departure of locals due to housing and security issues.
The city of Nice continues its demographic growth, according to INSEE. Between 2021 and 2022, an additional 5,592 residents have moved in, bringing the total population to 356,603. A result praised by the municipality but criticized by the opposition.
Over six years, from 2017 to 2022, the city welcomed nearly 14,000 new inhabitants, representing a total growth of 4%. These numbers confirm an acceleration compared to the 2020-2021 period, where the increase was 1.3%.
The mayor of Nice, Christian Estrosi, expressed his satisfaction with these figures: “These 5,600 new residents are proof of our city’s attractiveness. Our efforts to make Nice a place where it is pleasant to live, work, and invest are bearing fruit. I welcome everyone and invite them to actively participate in the life of our beautiful city.”
A result contested by the opposition
Faced with these results, the municipal opposition expresses doubts. Philippe Vardon, a member of the Retrouver Nice group, highlighted the absence of a crucial figure: the number of departures. “How many locals have left their city because they can’t find housing or professional prospects? How many are fleeing insecurity and neighborhood deterioration?” he questioned.
For him, the concept of attractiveness must be nuanced: “Nice attracts, that is undeniable, but this dynamic doesn’t always benefit long-standing residents. The risk is that our city becomes more appealing to newcomers than to those who have always lived here.”
The issue of locals leaving Nice tempers the optimistic announcements. While Nice’s attractiveness is undeniable, it raises issues of balance between welcoming new arrivals and maintaining the quality of life for current residents. A debate that is likely to intensify in the coming months.
